Gulf Coast Woman January 2022

OMAN

COMPLIMENTARY

GULF COAST

JANUARY 2022

LIVING IN

alignment

MARIA SCAFIDE BARR

Kick the winter blues Caregivers:

Here's what you need to stop saying

Green:

Must-have fashion color

MEET THE COAST'S HARDEST-WORKING WOMEN

r. Michael J. Christie and and staff staff are are Dr. Michael J. Christie Dr. Michael J. Christie and staff are ased to welcome Dr. Aimee Watts pleased to welcome Dr. Aimee pleased to welcome Dr. Aimee Watts Watts to thetoCenter for OB/GYN the Center to the Center for for OB/GYN OB/GYN

RDBOARD CERTIFIED OB/GYNS CERTIFIED BOARD CERTIFIED OB/GYNS OB/GYNS

Michael J. Christie Michael J. Christie Michael J. M.D., F.A.C.O.G. Christie M.D., M.D., F.A.C.O.G. F.A.C.O.G.

AimeeAimee WattsWatts Aimee Watts M.D., F.A.C.O.G. M.D., M.D., F.A.C.O.G. F.A.C.O.G.

Mask Cindy Barfield Leanne Virgilio Kelly Mask Cindy Barfield Virgilio -C. Kelly Mask F.N.P.-B.C. Cindy Barfield F.N.P.-C. Leanne Leanne Virgilio rtified F.N.P.-C. Board Certified F.N.P.-B.C. Board Certified F.N.P.-C. F.N.P.-C. F.N.P.-B.C. F.N.P.-C. Dr. Watts has 10 years of Board Certified Board Nurse Certified Board Certified Dr. has titioner Nurse Practitioner Practitioner Board Certified Board Certified Board Certified Dr.asWatts Watts has 10 10 years years of of Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner experience an OB/GYN Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner Nurse Practitioner experience as an OB/GYN

experience OB/GYN in Mississippi.

Sheasis an now in Mississippi.

She is now in Mississippi.

She is looking forward to serving the now looking forward to forward to serving serving the the womenlooking of the MS Gulf Coast. women women of of the the MS MS Gulf Gulf Coast.

Coast.

Please join us in welcoming Please join us in welcoming Please join us in welcoming her to our community and her to our community and her to our community and our practice! our our practice! practice!

AESTHETIC SERVICES AVAILABLE AESTHETIC AESTHETIC SERVICES SERVICES AVAILABLE AVAILABLE

MAIN OFFICE MAIN OFFICE BILOXI OFFICE OCEAN SPRINGS MAIN SPRINGS OFFICE BILOXI OFFICE OCEAN BILOXI OFFICE (228) 374-3749 OCEAN SPRINGS 28) 818-0025 (228) 374-3749 147 Reynoir St., Suite 102 Government(228) St., Suite818-0025 I-4 (228) 374-3749 (228) 818-0025 147 Reynoir St., Suite 102 2113 Government St., Suite I-4 147 Reynoir St., Suite 102 2113 Government St., Suite I-4 January 2022 2 michaelchristiemd.com

Scan this QR Code to be taken straight to Scan this QR Code to this QR Codetoto our Facebook Page Scan be taken straight be straight to ourtaken Facebook Page our Facebook Page

Never a love so true.

For all that you are, all that you have been, and all that you will be.

- I love you. www.gcwmultimedia.com 3 228-863-3699 • pavandbroome.com

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Dr. Angela Bruni

PUBLISHER & EDITOR Dorothy P. Wilson

DIRECTOR OF BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT Sherry Moxley Seaman

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INTRODUCING

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Jennifer Gentile

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By Lauren Riley Kathy Rogers Dr. Shelia Rivers Tammy Smith Kathy Brown van Zutphen Dr. Alisha Ware Dr. Eric Washington

Jasmine Ball Karol Brandt Chris Dearman Dr. Tracy Daniel-Hardy Melanie Jones Dr. Sidra Khalid Robin Killeen Dr. Philip L. Levin LaShaundra McCarty

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OMAN

COMPLIMENTARY

GULF COA ST

JANUARY 2022

Kick the winter blues

LIVING IN gnment ali

MARIA SCAFIDE BARR

Caregivers:

Here's what you need to stop saying

Green:

ON THE COVER Photographer: Brandi Stage Portraiture Makeup and hair: Brittney M. Johnson Location: Brandi Stage Portraiture

Must-have fashion color

COVER SUBJECT Maria Scafide Barr

HARDES T-WORKI MEET THE COAST'S

NG WOMEN

CONTACT US

Securities and advisory services are offered through LPL Financial (LPL), a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer (member FINRA/ SIPC). Insurance products are offered through LPL or its licensed affiliates.

Community Bank and Community Wealth Management are not registered as a broker-dealer or investment advisor. Registered representatives of LPL offer products and services using Community Wealth Management, and may also be employees of Community Bank. These products and services are being offered through LPL or its affiliates, which are separate entities from, and not affiliates of, Community Bank or Community Wealth Management. The LPL Financial Registered Representatives associated with this site may only discuss and/or transact securities business with residents of the following states: Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and Tennessee. Securities and insurance offered through LPL or its affiliates are: Not Insured by FDIC or Any Other Government Agency | Not Community Bank Guaranteed | Not Community Bank Deposits or Obligations | May Lose Value

4

January 2022

38 Pass Road, Suite A, Gulfport, MS 39507 (228) 539-2422 CustomerService@gulfcoastwomanmagazine.com © 2021 Gulf Coast Woman is published 12 times per year and is available free of charge. We encourage your comments, suggestions and submissions, however, we unsolicited documents or manuscripts. All material is copyrighted and may not be reproduced in any manner without the written permission of the publisher.

www.gcwmultimedia.com

Awareness

Love

DR. ALLISON WALL

New Season

Faith

DR. OLIVIA HIGHTOWER

Happy new year

DR. STEPHANIE FUSSELL

Celebrate

Peace

SUPPORT

ACCEPTING NEW PATIENTS AT ALL FIVE LOCATIONS GULFPORT 1340 Broad Avenue, Suite 330 BILOXI 920 Tommy Munro Drive BILOXI 147 Reynoir Street | Suite 204 BAY ST. LOUIS 835 Thames Avenue WIGGINS 1440 E. Central Ave Wiggins

228-575-1234

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5

THIS EDITION

contents HEALTH / 29 STYLE / 57 WEDDINGS / 66 HOME & FAMILY / 69 SUCCESS / 86 FOOD & FUN / 92 FILL YOUR CUP / 97

6

January 2022

Co n

H men’s ealth.

Wo

ng the Dots i t c in ne

Presented by

Friday, January 28th Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – Biloxi

Tickets

Hosted by Singing River Health System, What the Health?

Connecting the Dots in Women’s Health features engaging and entertaining discussions from some of the Coast’s best physicians on various health topics and how they pertain to women.

Not your momma’s women’s health conference, What the Health? opens with mimosas & mingling and culminates with brunch accompanied by inspirational words from abduction survivor, author, and speaker Elizabeth Smart.

$40

SingingRiverHealthSystem.com/WTH

Featuring Keynote Speaker

Dipti Baral, MD

John Bailey, MD

Tana Cooper, DO

Michael Finan, MD Shahira Hanna, MD

Elizabeth Smart Author/Speaker/Survivor

Tamara Harper, MD Catherine Hirsch, MD Amy Scheller, MD

SingingRiverHealthSystem.com

Angel Myers Mcllrath, Emcee www.gcwmultimedia.com

7

“

I feel great!

Once I was ready to do something about my weight, I met with my surgeon, and we discussed the pros and cons of gastric sleeve surgery. Since my surgery in November 2020, I’ve lost 115 pounds. It has changed my life. I no longer take blood pressure or diabetes medication. I’d like to thank my surgeon and the staff at Memorial.

November

2020

8

January 2022

“

— Christy, Stone County

LIFE CHANGING

WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY Is gastric sleeve surgery a first step to your new life?

A Memorial general surgeon can help you decide.

Scott Blackburn, DO General Surgeon

Kristine Carter, MD General Surgeon

Trey Rimmer, III, MD General Surgeon

Derek Ware, MD General Surgeon

TO GET STARTED call

(228) 867–4220

email weightloss@mhg.com

EXCITING

NEWS! Memorial is now accredited by the Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program

WeAreMemorial.com/weightlosssurgery

www.gcwmultimedia.com

9

WINNER

Pia Bordelon Bienville Orthopaedic office director earns respect, ‘sets fine example’

MEET THE COAST’S

HARDEST-WORKING WOMEN 2022 To celebrate the driven, dedicated leaders who power our communities forward, we asked you to tell us who is the Hardest-Working Woman on the Coast. We received dozens of nominations; you cast your votes, and now we’re pleased to unveil your picks in Gulf Coast Woman’s Hardest-Working Woman on the Coast 2022 contest.

BY JENNIFER GENTILE

M

any who work with Pia Bordelon at Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists admire her character as much as her work ethic.

“She fights for her team and is fair and is a pleasure to work with,” says colleague Miranda Chaney, who nominated her for Gulf Coast Woman’s “HardestWorking Woman on the Coast” honors. “She sets a fine example and shows loyalty, enthusiasm and compassion for her team.”

Bordelon, who is director of Bienville’s business office, garnered 153 votes to win the title. She was humbled and surprised by the recognition, which she calls “a huge compliment.”

“Our office is full of hard-working women who I respect tremendously, so I am extremely flattered that they feel I am worthy of this recognition,” she says. “When I first heard of the nomination, I felt like the actors on award shows that say they are happy just to be nominated. I was excited that someone thought enough of me to submit my name and absolutely stunned that I won.”

A 20-year veteran of orthopedic management, Bordelon fell into the medical field somewhat by accident. A friend of her grandmother’s asked if she could type and whether she would be willing to help with a project. She went in to assist with office work and soon found herself working in the

10

January 2022

billing department handing special accounts.

“I then got into orthopedics and enjoyed the challenge of the different patient types, commercial, worker’s compensation, and legal work,” she says, “which you don’t see in many other specialties.”

A quick-thinking problem solver, Bordelon credits her resourcefulness to a surgeon she once worked for.

“He did not want to hear that I was unable to accomplish a task that was assigned to me and taught me how to think of multiple options to get the job done,” she says.

Thanks to his instruction and example, she adds, “I find that I get really creative when dealing with a unique scenario and enjoy teaching my team how to think through and resolve some of the difficult challenges we face on a daily basis.”

In her job, Bordelon oversees all the teams responsible for the entire workflow once a patient is seen. This encompasses pre-certification, collections and everything in between. Outside of Bienville, she is wife to husband Stephen, with whom she recently celebrated a 30th wedding anniversary; mom to daughter, Maggie, a first-grade teacher; and a furmom to two Great Pyrenees and two pugs.

“Our house is full of love, lots of wet kisses and usually dog hair,” she says, “but I wouldn’t have it any other way.”

AWARDS WON IN 2021 Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort is your premier destination on the Mississippi Gulf Coast!

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11

Oh, the Places You Can Go!

transportation summit March 11 • MGCCC harrison county campus

Go Big. Go Gulf Coast.

For more information about MGCCC’s transporation summit, SCAN THE QR CODE or CALL 228.563.2250.

MGCCC ANSWER CENTER 228-896-2536 • questions@mgccc.edu January 2022 12

I’ve been everywhere MGCCC’s Transportation summit encourages women to consider new careers

Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College was awarded $5,000 from the Mississippi Community College Board to hold a summit for women in the transportation industry. The “Oh, the Places You Can Go” Career Summit will be held at the Harrison County Campus on March 11, 2022, where nontraditional careers in transportation pathways will be presented.

“Transportation career fields are mostly under-represented by women as they comprise less than 6 percent regionally and 12 percent nationally of employees in the transportation industry,” said Millie Hyatt, dean of MGCCC’s West Harrison County Center and Special Projects. “We are excited about the opportunity to provide high school students with information in these fields and encourage them to consider these highdemand, high-paying jobs.”

In the past few years, MGCCC has implemented transportation industry programs, such as Automotive Technology, Automotive Light Duty Diesel Technology, Auto Collision Repair Technology, Heavy Equipment Maintenance Technology, Heavy Equipment Operation Technology, Maritime Multi-Craft Technology and Commercial Truck Driving to meet industry demands.

The summit will allow students to use simulators for heavy-duty machinery driving, commercial truck driving and others, and will also provide hands-on activities in light-duty diesel, auto collision repair and other areas.

“We want the students to get a real feel for what it would be like to operate this kind of machinery and to work on the equipment,” Hyatt said. “Our simulators provide them that opportunity and even troubleshoot problems that arise without them having to face any hazards.”

Top: Shantrina Bew drives an MGCCC truck as she prepares to take the test for her Commercial Driver’s License. Bottom: Alicia Morgan practices on a heavy equipment simulator while instructor Lamont Davis offers feedback.

For more information about transportation industry programs at MGCCC, SCAN THE QR CODE or visit mgccc.edu/ transportation.

Guest speakers, door prizes, lunch and a variety of other fun activities are also included in the summit’s agenda. “These careers are not only in demand locally and all over the nation, they pay great and usually don’t require long-term training. In fact, training can take from only a few weeks to two years for those who want to get a degree. Many programs are offered in both the day and evening or as hybrid classes (part online/ part in class) to accomodate students who work.”

Instructors from each of the programs will also be on hand to answer questions, and college enrollment specialists will be available to help students navigate admissions and financial aid.

“I have always loved to drive,” said Shantrina Bew. “Being in a career that allows me to do something I love and make a really good salary is awesome. I wish I had decided to make this career move earlier. Now, I’m traveling all the time and enjoying every moment of it. I would recommend it to anyone who wants an exciting and rewarding career.”

FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THE SUMMIT, CONTACT MILLIE.HYATT@MGCCC.EDU OR CALL 228-563-2250. www.gcwmultimedia.com 13

Celebrating

Years!

• Private Duty Nursing

• ID/DD Waiver Provider

• Pediatric Nursing

• Elderly and Disabled Waiver Provider

• Skilled Nursing Care

• EPSDT Provider

• Assisted Daily Living Care

• In-Facility Care

• Homemakers

• Worker’s Comp

• Companion Care

• Insurance Cases

• Post-Operative Care

• Supplemental Staffing

PLEASE CONTACT NMI FOR IMMEDIATE HEALTH CARE OPPORTUNITIES ACROSS THE GULF COAST!

228-385-9196

WWW.NURSINGMGT.COM 14

January 2022

NURSING MANAGEMENT, INC. Nothing is more important than meeting the needs of our clients.

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15

3RD PLACE

2ND PLACE

Cindy Hansen

Jennifer Noble 147 votes

135 votes

“Jennifer is the owner and lead decorator for Cheeky Monkey Cake Company in Biloxi. They are about to celebrate their 10th anniversary.

In addition to the work she does running a custom cake shop, she is also the vice president of the International Cake Exploration Society and the current convention chairman/ expo coordinator for their annual convention and show, known as Cake Expo. She is also an ICES-approved teacher and travels the country teaching other sugar artists and business owners at various cake shows and conventions throughout the year (most recently at the Ultimate Sugar Show in Atlanta, Georgia).”

“Cindy’s title is director of employee health at Memorial Hospital; she is so much more! She is the knowledge of COVID for the staff and the public. Cindy is always available for questions and always has the answers.

Cindy is kind and patient with everyone at all times. She has appeared on the local news numerous times with education for all involving COVID and vaccinations. Cindy is the hardest-working woman I know and does it all with grace and kindness.”

MEET THE COAST’S

HARDEST-WORKING WOMEN 2022 OTHER NOMINEES • Dr. Andrea Barker • Janie O’Keefe • Christina Pike • Robin Killeen • Alexis Williams • Patricia Moss • Lindsey Lind Richard • Tashia McGinn • Randi Mura • Jennifer Lee • Sabrina Stallworth • Kacie Pelaez Denny • Dr. Angela Wingfield • Katherine Sutton • Courtney Jacobs • Sheila Farr • Tina Dinh • Tammy Harrell • Leslie Ramon • Heather Sanders • Theresa Cuevas 16

January 2022

• Blythe King • Avra O’Dwyer • Cheli Strumila • Amber Olsen • Cheyenne Underwood • Dr. Ashley Emerson Essary • Caelleigh Downer de Gutierrez • Amber Carroll • Carol Burnett • Karen Coleman • Liz Hoop • Rita Green • Maegan Fisackerly • Roxane Dykes • Susan Siemiontkowski • Sandy Sanders • Pat Tilley

• Krystyna Schmitt • Karisma Slusher • Jamie Rhodes • Karol Brandt • April Martin • Anne Guille • Lilian Perez-Gollott • Candace Hasan • Stefanie Jantz • Starr Chapman • Dr. Tiffany Entrekin • Adele Lyons • Chelsea Campbell • Ashira Windsor • Dr. Yolanda Jerry • Melissa Lock Pearson • Misty Stevenson • Roxane Colegrove Dykes • Brittany Gianelloni • Jacqueline Hall

• Patricia Lewis • Kristen Schmitz • Katy Frazier • Amanda Gray • Christy Elias • LuAnn Pappas • Mary Cracchiolo Spain • Holly Lemoine Raymond • Paige Roberts • Sandi Favre • Kyla Jacobs • Tracie Strayham • Jeanne Brackin • Dr. Diane Ross • Beverly Harvey • Ungela Lock • Patricia Tillman • Barbara Robinson

Women’s cancer is not always

PINK

Caring. Healing. Guiding.

Guiding. Every step step of of the the way. way.

January is Cervical Awareness month.

January is CervicalCancer Cancer Awareness month.

Resolve to get your cervicalcancer cancer screening screening up thethe New Year.Year.

Resolve to get your cervical uptotodate datein in New The Medical Oncology Group has been serving In addition to expert, all-encompassing treatment, we the community for over 30 years. We feel a strong consider it ourOncology personal Group responsibility to stay by our The Medical has been serving the connection to the Mississippi Gulf Coast and the patients’ sides every step of the way.

We oversee community for over 30 years. We feel a strong people we serve. Our team offers the latest in every connection aspect of a to patient’s care. Above we serve the Mississippi Gulfall,Coast and the cutting-edge treatments close to home, in multiple as a guiding light so our patients always know they people we serve. Our team offers the latest in convenient locations, so there is no need to travel far. are never alone. cutting-edge treatments and clinical trials close to home, in multiple convenient locations, so there is no need to travel far.

In addition to expert, all-encompassing treatment for oncology and blood disorders,, we consider it our personal responsibility to stay by our patients’ sides every step of the way. We oversee every aspect of a patient’s care. Above all, we serve as a guiding light so our patients always know they are never alone.

Lauren Hitt, NP

Pa m e la Tuli, M.D.

|

Pamela J Tuli, MD

|

Sidra Khalid, MD

|

Edye Denius, NP

Bay St. Louis • Diamondhead • Gulfport (2) • Biloxi (2)228.575.1234 • Ocean Springs • Wiggins

Ha mza M inha s, M .D.

Sid ra K halid , M.D.

T heMedicalO ncolo Acceping new patients at all locations to serve you. gyGrou p.com

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Ph ot o gEdye ra p h y byDenius, S o ut h M i s s iNP at all locations

Happy New Year From the Gulf Coast’s Newest Honda Dealer!

As we wrap up 2021 and look forward to a greater, happier, and healthier 2022, the entire Boyte Family wants to wish you and your loved ones the merriest of holidays.

We love being a part of and giving back to this community that has greatly enriched our lives. Because of you, Bob Boyte Honda is the only consecutive President’s Award winner since 2005. Please stop by our state-of-the-art facilities in Central Mississippi and our newest location on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. You can take advantage of our new and pre-owned inventory deals, superior detail crew, and our award-winning service department offering a complimentary wash and vacuum with every service.

So Come by one of our award-winning locations and say hello, so we can wish you a happy new year in person!

Visit us online at bobboytehondamosspoint.com.

18

January 2022

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19

Let the good times roll again!

Line up the floats, break out the beads and prepare to party — Carnival season is back! We know you’ve missed the parades, balls and festivities, so check below for a full schedule of events:

*SEASON KICKOFF: Twelfth Night Celebration

Presented by the City of Biloxi, The Mississippi Coastal Mardi Gras Museum, and the Gulf Coast Carnival Association Jan. 5, 2022, Christmas lights will go out at 6 p.m.

Begins at Biloxi Visitors Center before parading to Biloxi City Hall The reigning royal court of Gulf Coast Carnival Association will be presented to extinguish the Christmas lights at the Biloxi Lighthouse. The party will continue at City Hall, signaling the start of Carnival season.

Carnival Association of Long Beach

Long Beach Carnival Association Mardi Gras Ball 2022 Feb. 18, 2022, 8 p.m.

St. Vincent de Paul School, Long Beach Ticket price: $40.00 For more info: calb1960@gmail.com Carnival Association of Long Beach Night Parade Feb. 19, 2022; Time TBA Downtown Long Beach

Children’s Walking Parade

Presented by the city of Biloxi, The Mississippi Coastal Mardi Gras Museum and the Gulf Coast Carnival Association February 19, 2022, 10 a.m.

Downtown Biloxi To enter/for more information: Registration forms are available at The Biloxi Visitors Center

20

January 2022

Gulf Coast Carnival Association

GCCA Coronation Ball: “Dancing Around the World” Feb. 28, 2022, 8 p.m.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Ticket price: Free public viewing For more info: Call carnival office at (228) 432-8806 GCCA Mardi Gras Parade March 1, 2022, 1 p.m.

Downtown Biloxi For more info: www.msgcca.org/ parade

Jackson County Carnival Association

Krewe of Gemini

53nd Annual Krewe of Gemini Carnival Ball & Coronation of King Jupiter LIII & Queen Leda LII: “Band of Traveling Gypsies” Feb. 12, 2022; Doors open at 7 p.m., close at 7:45 p.m. for tableau Biloxi Civic Center For more info: kreweofgeminigulfport@gmail. com Day Parade Saturday, Feb. 26, 2022, 2 p.m.

Downtown Gulfport For more info: kreweofgeminigulfport@gmail. com

JCCA Mardi Gras Parade Feb. 26, 2022, noon Downtown Pascagoula For more info: Follow the Jackson County Carnival Association/JCCA page on Facebook

Fat Tuesday Night Parade Tuesday, March 1, 2022, 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Gulfport For more info: kreweofgeminigulfport@gmail. com

Krewe of Aurora

Krewe of Hera

Krewe of Aurora Inaugural Coronation Ball Dec. 31, 2021, 7 p.m.

Biloxi Community Center Ticket price: $50 per person For more info: www.kreweofaurora. com, KreweofAurora@gmail.com

Krewe of Diamondhead

The Krewe of Diamondhead Travels Around the World February 19, 2022, 6:30 p.m.

The Grand Ballroom, Diamondhead Country Club For more info: Contact Stephanie Hardesty, membership director, at (818) 454-4481 Krewe of Diamondhead Annual Parade Feb. 26, 2022, noon Starts on Gex Drive, takes a left on Aloha Drive to Kalani Drive, then a right on Golf Club Drive For more info: sataylorsd1972@ yahoo.com

Krewe of Hera Annual Ball Jan. 22, 2022, doors open at 7 p.m.; tableau starts at 8 p.m.

Ticket price: $50 per person, available from any krewe member

Krewe of Neptune

Coronation Ball: The Krewe, The Myth, The Legend Feb. 19, 2022, 7 p.m.

Biloxi Civic Center Ticket price: N/A For more info: www. kreweofneptune.org Krewe of Neptune Night Parade Feb. 26, 2022, 5:30 p.m.

Downtown Biloxi

Krewe of Nereids

54th Annual Ball & After Party (black tie) Feb. 5, 2022, 7 p.m.

Mississippi Gulf Coast Coliseum and Convention Center Ticket price: No cost to attend the ball, after party $75 per person For more info: supperdance@ thekreweofnereids.com

www.gcwmultimedia.com

21

ROYAL REVUE

Krewe of Selene

Selene Celebrates at the Moulin Rouge Feb. 12, 2022, 6:30p.m.

Location: The Emerald Ballroom at Diamondhead Country Club For more info: Mary Mizell, 228493-3969

Krewe Unique

Krewe Unique Mardi Gras Parade Feb. 12, 1:30 p.m., immediately following Ocean Springs Day Parade Downtown Ocean Springs For more info: Greg Gipson, greggipson14@icloud.com

Krewe of Vesta

Krewe of Vesta, The Greatest Show on Earth Feb 11, 2022 Pascagoula Civic Center Ticket price: By invitation only

KREWE OF VENUS

QUEEN APHRODITE XLIII: Kayci Rouse of Pascagoula

Krewe of Venus

Venus Goes Loco Feb. 4, 2022 Tickets price: By invitation only

Les Belle Fleurs

Les Belle Fleurs Ball Feb. 26, 2022, Doors open at 6:30 p.m. and close at 8 p.m.

Dr. Frank Gruich Community Center in Biloxi.

Ticket price: $50 per person To register: form.jotform. com/212927828948170

Les Cavaliers

Les Cavaliers Ball: “Game of Thrones” Feb 19, 2022, 8 p.m.

IP Casino Resort Spa Ticket price: $100 per guest couple (availability is limited) For more info: contact Scott Barnes – (228) 323-5536

Les Masques

Les Masquees Mardi Gras Ball (krewe, founded 1923, is now in its 99th year) Feb. 18, 2022, 8 p.m.

Biloxi Community Center, Howard Ave., Biloxi Invitation required to view and attend

Mystic Krewe of the Seahorse

Mutiny in the Bay Pirate Party January 15, 2022, 7-11 p.m.

Bay St. Louis Community Hall Ticket price: TBA For more info: www.mkotsh.com

Ocean Springs Carnival Association

Masquerade Ball – “A Whole New World” Saturday, Feb. 12, 2022, 7 p.m. (doors open at 6 p.m.)

Ocean Springs Civic Center Ticket price: $75 For more info: oscarnival.com

13th annual Ocean Springs Night Parade

Feb. 25, 2022, 7 p.m.

Begins at the Ocean Springs Yacht Club, follows Porter Avenue to Washington Avenue, then turns on Government Street and ends at the Ocean Springs Central Office.

Ocean Springs Elks

2022 Ocean Springs Elks Mardi Gras parade, presented by Ocean Springs ELKS 2501 and the Ocean Springs Chamber of CommerceMain Street-Tourism Bureau Feb. 12, 2022, 1 p.m.

Downtown Ocean Springs For more info: oschambercal@ gmail.com, 2501er@bellsouth.net

Southerettes LES CAVALIERS

QUEEN OF CAVALIER LXIII: Susan Ladner

22

January 2022

Southerettes 45th Annual Ball Feb. 5, 2022, 7 p.m.

Biloxi Civic Center.

Ticket price: $50 each.

For more info: Email Southernettes@gmail.com or www.southernettes.com

228.822.9870 OFFICE www.owenandco.com 2208 18th Street, Suite B Gulfport, MS 39501 Sherry Owen, CRS GRI, SFR, ABR BROKER/OWNER owensherryl@aol.com | 228.760.2815 CELL

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STEP INTO THIS LAKE FRONT HOME, and you’ll find beautiful heart pine and brick flooring. Large gourmet kitchen with Viking Stainless appliances - Gas stove with 6 burners, grill, double ovens, hood. Warming drawer and 2 dishwashers. The kitchen also features a large wrap around counter with seating open to the den with fireplace, desk area and breakfast room. Large wet bar off the living room, 2 large floor to ceiling wine refrigerators (both under warranty), beverage refrigerator, ice maker, sink. Formal dining and living rooms, ALL with lake view! Master suite with full bath, large walk-in closet. A half bath opens to large patio, private covered deck with hot tub, outside kitchen and fireplace on the lake. Upstairs game room and workout room; the pool table and exercise equipment to remain. There is an office, full bath with steam shower. 2 bedrooms with Jack and Jill bath. The back porch opens to the game room, weigh room and one of the bedrooms. This home has a full gas generator, double garage, security system, sprinkler system, surround sound throughout. ONE OF A KIND PROPERTY!

MLS #4004748 | $710,000 12208 PRESERVATION DRIVE GULFPORT, MS This is truly a custom Home with the perfect curb appeal. Beautiful mature landscaping with a covered front porch. The backyard is adjacent to a park. The home has wood floors, brick floors, & ceramic tile in the Bathrooms. High ceiling, custom mill work throughout, granite counter tops, formal dining room, Living room with fireplace Opening to the sunroom, Kitchen is large. Opening to a large breakfast/keeping room to the living room. Master suite with a Large Master Bath, separate shower & Tub combination. Large Laundry room off the Kitchen. Upstairs is equipped with 4 bedrooms and 2 baths; 4th bedroom is being used as a game room. Large landing for a desk area for the children. Beautiful pool and Hot Tub with Screen enclosure, heated pool & hot tub, Brick deck area. Double Garage with brick flooring. The home has a Gas Generator for the entire home, security cameras, and Sprinkler system. Freshly painted inside and outside with a private fenced in back yard.

Tiffany Dymond Broker Associate 228.669.1767

Danielle Owen Broker Associate 228.806.9822

Steven Ladner Broker Associate 228.669.3720

Krista Goodhart Realtor 228.617.6417

Janet Lawrence Realtor 228.860.5460

Caroline Hebert Realtor 228.323.1603

Jennifer Davi James Musgrove Chris Martin Amy Olsen 23 Realtor www.gcwmultimedia.com Realtor Realtor Broker Associate 228.224.5337 228.234.2001 601.467.7890 228.697.6609

2022 WINTER

BUSINESS BREAKTHROUGH SERIES Women make up 50% of the population, but only 39% of businesses are owned by women (https://www.nawbo. org/resources/women-businessowner-statistics). We want to help make that 39% of these businesses grow, while helping more women achieve heir dream of starting their own business.

SESSION 1 TUESDAY, JANUARY 25

9AM – NOON

28 Keys to Building a Business that BOOMS

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SESSION 2 TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 22

9AM – NOON

Double Your Profits in the Next 12 Months

Niche your business & grow your profit! Have you ever noticed you can get a bottle of water at Walmart for $.50, the same bottle at the grocery store for $1.00, the gas state sells it for $1.50, and the store at the airport for $5.00?

What make those prices so different for the same bottle of water? Niche. The airport charges you $.50 for the water and $4.50 because they are the only option. You want to be the one people thinks of when they think of a product.

When you get that recognition, you can charge above market prices for your product or service. That is the power of niche.

SESSION 3 TUESDAY, MARCH 29

9AM – NOON

Climbing the Entrepreneurial Ladder: The Secrets to Mastering Time, Team, Money & Mindset

Leverage your business & make it work for YOU! Does your business function if you don’t show up? If the answer is no, then you own a job, not a business.

In this session, we will discuss the ways of making your business work for you, instead of you working for your business.

SESSION 4 TUESDAY, APRIL 26

9AM – NOON

Growth Planning for Your Best Year Ever

You can’t do it alone! Your TEAM is your ticket to freedom. In the world we live in today, many business owners say they can’t get a good team. Without a solid

team, your business’s potential is capped. How do you get a better team?

Be a better leader. You get the team you deserve. We will teach you the means a GREAT leader so you can get the team you deserve.

January 2022 24 of becoming

Join us for this exciting ‘Business Breakthrough’ series. Get the tools, tricks, tips, strategies, tactics, motivation and emotional energy that you need to break your business to the next level.

This series will consist of four sessions (one each month) and costs $200 per session or $600 for the series. If paying for the full series, we can split the $600 payment into two payments of $300.

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Director of Marketing and Business Development

scottbearden@actioncoach.com 228.260.0018

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25

Mardi Gras

BY TAMMY SMITH

Mobile, Alabama, claims to be the first U.S. city to celebrate Mardi Gras. So does New Orleans.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi Gulf Coast sits in the middle, not really worried about who was first. It’s all about having fun, no matter what your age.

Mardi Gras first was observed in North America in 1699, when French explorer Pierre LeMoyne D’Iberville (does that name sound familiar?) and his team were camping near a bayou at the mouth of the Mississippi River.

Their campsite became known as Bayou de Mardi Gras.

The Coast officially has been observing Mardi Gras for 114 years this year, and during that time, the annual party has grown from something strictly for the locals to a significant part of our tourism industry.

Let’s take a look back at Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. While this is not intended to be a definitive history, it does give a glimpse of the celebration through the decades.

1908

Although records indicate Mardi Gras celebrations were held in the 1880s and 1890s in towns across the Coast, this is the year that Carnival truly starts here, when the first Mardi Blanche Picard reigned as the Gras parade in Biloxi first Queen rolls on March 3 with Ixolib in 1908.

17 floats, 50 flambeau carriers, a grand marshal, the mayor and councilmembers and the 12-piece Herald Newspaper Band. King Bienville (later King D’Iberville) is John Carraway, and Queen Ixolib (Biloxi spelled backwards) is Blanche Picard.

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January 2022

1910s

In 1916, The Biloxi Carnival and Literary Association, later to be known as Gulf Coast Carnival Association, is formed. The Pass Christian Carnival Association is founded in 1913.

Celebrations become more organized during this decade, but in 1919, the merriment is postponed because of World War I.

Josephine Folkes was Queen Ixolib in 1925, and her clothing reflects the period.

Sue Le NguyenTorjusen reigned as queen of Bonne Vivantes in 2020.

1920s

Known as the Jazz Age, the 1920s is a time of celebration, a perfect time for Carnival to flourish.

In 1929, more cities along the Coast join Biloxi in the season.

The first female crew, Les Masquees, is formed in Biloxi, and their first ball is held in February 1923.

1930s

The Great Depression has a significant effect on Carnival on the Coast but doesn’t keep people from celebrating. Children’s parades become very popular, including the Junior Carnival parade and the Possum Neck parade.

In the late 1930s to 1948, the Vernon Gilbert Colored Elks Lodge sponsors Biloxi’s African-American King Zulu parades. The AfricanAmerican Krewe of Foogaboo parades in Pass Christian during this decade.

Every monarch needs a crown and a scepter.

through the ages St. Paul Carnival Association is established in 1930 in Pass Christian to raise funds for St. Joseph School and the Sisters of Mercy who teach there.

Glass bead necklaces become coveted gifts, or throws, at parades. These shortlength necklaces are usually handed to the recipient, as the beads can break.

The Krewe of Gemini is formed in Gulfport in 1969.

1970s

1940s

World War 2 has a major impact on Mardi Gras, with no celebrations from 1942 to 1945.

Parades increase in size, with more floats, bands and other performers adding to the fun.

The first Ocean Springs Elks parade rolls in 1975. The following year, the Jackson County Carnival Association’s first parade is held in Pascagoula.

1950s

1980s

The Korean Conflict causes cities to cancel parades in 1951 and 1952. Later in this decade, costumes and balls gradually become more ornate.

This painting of a Mardi Gras queen hangs in the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum in Biloxi. Her identity is a mystery, but her costume and hair style suggest the 1950s.

1960s

Traditional glass beads gradually are replaced with plastic versions. The earliest plastic beads mimic the strand length and bead shape of their glass predecessors.

Doubloons debut as throws in New Orleans, and Mississippi Gulf Coast krewes quickly join in adding these commemorative metal “coins” to their offerings.

The all-female Krewe of Nereids is formed in Waveland.

A group of mothers whose children attend St. Thomas Elementary School forms the Long Beach Carnival Association, first known as the St. Thomas Mother’s Club.

Early doubloons from Mississippi Gulf Coast parades

Medallion beads increase in popularity as float throws.

The Krewe of Real People is founded in 1984 in Bay St. Louis.

The Krewe of Neptune is founded in 1981, with the first ball held in 1982. Their first parade is held in 1983. Floats for this krewe are commissioned in New Orleans and brought to Biloxi.

1990s

Throws become bigger and more varied, with plush toys, krewe-specific items and plastic cups adding to spears and small plastic footballs as popular catches.

The Second Liners Mardi Gras Club, Inc., is formed in 1995.

2000 to today

The 2002 Carnival season is held in the shadow of 9/11, as armed soldiers on the streets and helicopters guarded

The costumes of King D’Iberville George Schloegel and Page Michael Schloegel from the 1988 Gulf Coast Carnival Association celebration reflect the increasingly dazzling costumes of Carnival royalty.

paradegoers. Hurricane Katrina in August 2005 deals a devastating blow to the Mississippi Gulf Coast, but the following year, the parades roll on, with krewes choosing themes that reflect the resiliency of the Coast and its people. And in 2021, the COVID-19 pandemic delayed Mardi Gras celebrations and parades.

This year, the celebrations return, and the Mississippi Gulf Coast is ready.

“Laissez les bons temps rouler,” y’all!

WANT TO KNOW MORE?

This silver service was a gift to 1960 Gulf Coast Carnival Association Queen Ixolib Elizabeth Corso from King D’Iberville Merle Palmer.

If you’d like to learn more about Mardi Gras on the Mississippi Gulf Coast, visit the Coastal Mississippi Mardi Gras Museum, 792-A Howard Ave., Biloxi. Hours are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Phone: (228) 314-4747. Admission is $8 adults, $7 seniors and military, $5 children under 12.

www.gcwmultimedia.com

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January 2022

HEALTHY Living

COVER STORY

Living in

ALIGNMENT

With tenacity and a healthy dose of balance, Maria Scafide Barr turns vision into reality

BY JENNIFER GENTILE PHOTOGRAPHY BY BRANDI STAGE PORTRAITURE

A

s a high school junior and aspiring cheerleader, Maria Scafide Barr dreamed of doing back handsprings across the gym and wowing the whole school.

“Little did I know that those back handsprings would turn into group fitness classes, and that my reach would go way past the school gym and into the lives of those all over the world,” says Barr, a fitness instructor, educator and entrepreneur. “It just started with a vision — a vision followed up with work, consistency and belief.”

FROM SIDE HUSTLE TO FULL-TIME JOB

Each day, the Ocean Springs resident wakes up excited about her mission — helping others improve their health and wellness. She’s worn many hats in her adult life, working at

restaurants, gyms, a college, a hospital and even furniture stores, and she once considered fitness her “side hustle.”

“I noticed a love for movement around 11th grade,” Barr recalls, “but I was totally scared to go for it.” She mustered the courage to try out for cheer her senior year and succeeded in making the team.

Realizing that she had a talent for choreography, Barr went on to dance with the Southern Misses at the University of Southern Mississippi and even tried out to perform professionally with the Saintsations, the New Orleans Saints dance team.

“Mentors told me I had no chance, but guess what — I made it to the final 50; they pick around 32,” she says. “I was able to compete in an arena with so many talented people from all

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29

MORE ABOUT MARIA How would you describe yourself?

“Others would say I’m blunt, determined and funny. I would agree.

I’m a really extroverted introvert who loves to turn it on for a group but needs the down time to regroup. I shoot it straight. I think I’m pretty witty, and I won’t give up when I set my mind to something. I’m Type A all day but intentional with my time and relationships.”

What is something about you that would surprise people to know?

Less than a decade ago, I started learning and trying out spear fishing.

I love the Gulf Coast and the ocean.

I shot my first big fish underwater about 30-40 feet deep off the Louisiana coast It was a cobia, aka lemon fish, about as long as me and probably weighed close to 70 pounds.”

What is your favorite thing about being a fitness instructor?

“My favorite thing about instructing is watching those with me light up and seeing that ‘ah-ha, I can do this!’ moment happen. I tell my own kids that we don’t say ‘I can’t.’ We say ‘I’ll try’ all the time. It’s inspiring to see people just try and light up when they realize that try turned into a little triumph.”

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January 2022

over the region and made it through what others thought was impossible.”

Although she didn’t make the team, Barr was so encouraged by her showing that she tried out another four times. From this experience, she learned what her tenacity could accomplish.

“I wasn’t going to let a ‘no’ from a dance team be my ultimate ‘no’ in becoming a professional in other areas of my life,” she says, “fitness especially.”

Shortly after graduating from USM, Barr took the next step by attending her first group fitness certification. She became a Turbo Kick instructor and has gone on to teach or receive certifications in water aerobics, yoga, Pilates, boxing, cycle, barre, HIIT, bootcamps and more. Her first “side hustle” fitness gig was instructing at e-Fitness & Wellness in Biloxi, and today, she serves as a brand manager and master trainer with Barre Intensity.

“I get to work with people all over the world in barre fitness education; I get to travel all over the country and teach people how to become a barre instructor,” she says. “It’s so cool and so much fun!

Getting to see people make that decision for themselves, as I did almost 16 years ago, is very humbling and rewarding.”

Outside of her 9-to-5 job, Barr recently has been teaching reformer Pilates, barre, boxing and cycle classes in the mornings and evenings.

Some hats she’s worn have fit better than others, but group fitness has proven to be her “true outlet and calling.”

“I strive to make it an experience and learn from all the places I’ve had the privilege to serve others,” Barr says.

“The opportunity to really serve others through movement and fitness has been the backbone to developing into the person I am today.”

FINDING BALANCE

At this point in her life, Barr is most proud of her healthy mindset.

“I’ve overcome a lot; some things I endured, and some things I inflicted, but all of it taught me a lesson to apply to the next part of my journey,” she says. “I still have lots to learn, but I love the learning process.”

Although a certain amount of pressure to stay fit and healthy are ingrained into her industry, Barr notes that everyone defines these terms differently. Some may see a certain size as ideal, she says, “but I just don’t believe that.”

“Staying fit and healthy starts with balance,” she adds, “being balanced in the way you think of yourself, your body image and the way you fuel that body.”

Barr has her own holistic health company and tries to eat a consistent

“Staying fit and healthy starts with balance; being balanced in the way you think of yourself, your body image and the way you fuel that body.” amount of nourishing, energizing wholefoods each day. She steers clear of foods that don’t make her feel her best – although she allows herself the occasional indulgence.

On a typical morning, she’s up at 4:30 a.m., kicking off the day by listening to a podcast or playlist on her way to a 45-minute workout. After helping get her kids, 2-year-old Leo and 5-year-old Mia, ready and before sitting down to work, she makes sure she has the day’s food plan squared away.

“I look at a good exercise and nutrition plan as a non-negotiable each day, and I thrive doing it early in the morning,” she says. “I credit my discipline in getting up early, before kids and work, each day to my success in staying committed.

“It’s just consistency; doing the same mundane things that most won’t do each day make the difference in staying fit or just getting fit for an occasion.”

Barr aims to get seven hours of sleep each night, and before going to bed, she reads a chapter of a good book and writes three things she is thankful for in her gratitude journal.

THE NEXT CHAPTER

Such routines keep the fitness expert grounded mentally, physically and spiritually, and she encourages others to make their health and wellness a priority.

“You can’t pour from an empty cup; you have to fill yours,” she says. “We all have the same 24 hours in a day. It’s what we do with them that makes us different.”

As the new year begins, she adds, it’s a perfect time to dig deep and remove the barriers that keep you from reaching your fullest potential. Fresh from winning a nationwide competition for group instructors, presented by the HOTWORX fitness studio franchise, Barr is working on opening her own space “for others to come flourish.”

“2022 is going to be the year that my personal growth, development and past goals come together for an epic new journey!” she says. “I have never felt stronger or surer about what I was put on this earth to do; that is to serve others.”

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31

Maybe you need to talk to someone

If you’re struggling, you’re not alone — and a therapist may be able to help

BY DR. SHELIA RIVERS

E

veryone needs a psychotherapist. That’s a broad statement, but as a mental health clinician, I’ve seen evidence-based research that supports a significant increase in the demand for mental health treatment due to the pandemic and global health concerns. These times have challenged many of us, given the impact of COVID-19 and how it has compounded our daily stressors.

For many months, we’ve been operating outside of our norm to cope with and adjust to changes in our environment. Individuals, families and communities have withstood sudden pressures in our social lives, changes to daily routines, loss of jobs, decreases in household

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January 2022

income, marital stressors leading to unsafe emotional and/or physical environments and the responsibility of homeschooling children while schools were shut down. These stressors have manifested through feelings of sadness or depressed mood, anxiety, difficulty sleeping, fragmented sleep patterns, excessive sleep, over or undereating, excessive worrying, problems concentrating or remaining focused on a task, extreme mood changes and possible suicide ideation.

If you’ve experienced any of these signs, it’s okay to say you’re not okay.

Not acknowledging the stressors can result in a negative mental health outcome. Stressors can exacerbate symptoms such as somatic responses (i.e., constant physical pain, headaches, chest tightening or stomach pains), substance abuse, reckless behavior, and chronic unstable mood. These are only a few examples of stressor responses that result in negative mental health outcomes.

If you are unsure what’s causing

your symptoms, refer to a provider who can administer assessments to help you determine a base diagnosis and a way forward. Knowing and acknowledging these warning signs is a positive step toward contacting a licensed skilled mental health professional for assistance. A mental health care professional can help develop a treatment plan customized for you and your lifestyle.

Keep in mind that there is no “onesize-fits-all” treatment. Options may include connection to local resources, support groups, psychotherapy, psychoeducation and/or medication.

As mental health professionals, my peers and I look forward to helping you become a better you.

Dr. Shelia Rivers is CEO of Rivers Psychotherapy Services and a Tulane University adjunct professor. Reach her at shelia.rivers@riverspsychotherapy.com.

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Specializing in Asthma & Allergic Diseases in Adults & Children www.gcwmultimedia.com 33

Three tips to reset your finances in 2022

BY KATHY ROGERS

At the start of a new year, people often make resolutions about things they want to change going forward. Finance is one area in which resolutions are made — and often fail. It’s good to make a resolution to make positive financial changes, but without a sound plan, we set ourselves up for failure.

Here are three tips to help you develop your plan — simple steps that can set you on a path to a better financial future.

1

REVIEW YOUR TAXES

I recently met with a couple who sought a way to increase their income. I asked if they anticipated receiving an income tax refund when they file their taxes; they did. In fact, they normally receive about a $7,000 refund. They claim zero on their payroll tax forms and have the maximum tax withheld.

My question is, why would you allow the government to keep your money all year and not receive any interest on it?

If you normally anticipate an income tax refund, review and update your payroll tax forms with your employer.

If you don’t need the extra income, simply deposit the additional money in your savings account or emergency fund. At least you will earn a small amount of interest on your money. If you need additional income, this may be a way to increase it.

2

LOOK AT ALL YOUR EXPENDITURES

Expenses have a way of creeping up on us. We join the gym, sign up for a streaming service or subscribe to something that we don’t use. The expense is often under $20 per month, so we ignore those recurring fees and don’t consider how they add up.

If you don’t have a budget or a system to track your income and expenses, I encourage you to start one. You should set aside time at least once a year to see if you have allowed your spending to take control of your life. Are you spending your money in a way that aligns with your values? Are you spending your money on necessities and things that add value to your life, or on spur-of-the-moment

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January 2022

impulse purchases?

Instead of allowing your spending to control you, choose instead to control your spending. My husband often reminds me of the Kevin Elko quote: “There are two pains: The pain of discipline, and the pain of regret.” I encourage you to choose financial discipline so you don’t have to live with financial regret.

3

UPDATE OR BEGIN A RETIREMENT OR SAVINGS PLAN

If you have a retirement savings plan, schedule an annual review with your investment professional. Take the time to look at how much money you are putting into your account and how it is being invested. Does your employer offer to match your contributions? If so, take advantage of it. If you don’t, it is like throwing away money.

I believe it is important to diversify your investments, so I don’t generally advise people to contribute more into their employer retirement plan than their employer is willing to match. If you are, consider diverting that money to another type of investment or savings plan.

If you are self-employed, it is imperative that you begin your own retirement savings plan. No one else is going to do it for you; your older self will be glad you did not relegate her to living solely off Social Security.

If you don’t have an emergency fund, now is the time to start one. A review of your taxes and expenditures can help you find money to set aside. Even a few dollars a week is better than saving nothing.

The past couple of years have taught us to expect the unexpected. Take time now to make a plan, one that includes flexibility, is realistic and is something you can live with for the foreseeable future. It can make all the difference.

Kathy Rogers is the vice president of Marston Rogers Group, a life planner and financial consultant. Reach her at (228) 206-5902 or Kathy@mrg.life.

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35

Actually… you ARE exercising

BY JACQUE MCSHANE

Wherever you are, you can reap the benefits of movement Happy New Year! Did you resolve to get more exercise in 2022? We know exercise is important, but somehow, as we pile on more responsibility and life gets crazy, exercise takes a backseat. Another situation I see often is people setting grandiose goals to train for a marathon, hit the gym five days a week, or start CrossFit when they haven’t gone for a walk or lifted a dumbbell for several months. The result: They quit after a week because they are too sore to move, or worse, they get injured.

Many of us resolve to start working out to lose weight because we are in an energy crisis — and I’m not talking about fossil fuels. I’m talking about the fact that we consume more energy (calories) than we expend, causing weight gain. Back in the stone age, when humans had to forage for berries and hunt for meat, we were calorie-burning machines. Today, we don’t have to leave the couch for, well, anything. We can have food delivered, command Alexa to change the channel and run just about anything in our home via a phone app.

The good news is that you don’t have to be drenched in sweat or feel like you’re on the verge of death to get the benefits of exercise. The truth is, you’re already getting healthy movement throughout your day in the form of NEAT (non-exercise activity thermogenesis).

NEAT is all the movement outside of planned exercise. Believe it or not, this type of movement is a more efficient way to fight calorie creep

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January 2022

and a more important contributor to calorie expenditure. Plus, it’s much easier to do and doesn’t take any additional time. It’s also the safest way to incorporate movement into your day if you’ve not seen the inside of a gym or laced up your running shoes in a while, your BMI is over 30 or you have a medical condition.

You’re already getting NEAT movement when you clean the house, keep up with kids, wash dishes by hand, mow the yard, pull weeds, or basically do anything other than remain horizontal.

THERE ARE SIX CATEGORIES OF NEAT MOVEMENT THAT YOU CAN EASILY INCORPORATE INTO YOUR DAY: 1. Stance: Your mom was right — you need to sit up straight because when you focus on the muscles that support your body’s core axis (chest, shoulders, back, legs and abdominals), you’ll burn calories and start preparing your body to move into more strenuous exercise.

When sitting, flex your stomach muscles and take deep, slow breaths.

2. Standing: The action of moving from sitting to standing is enough to burn calories. That’s why your watch reminds you when you’ve been sitting too long. Stand whenever you can.

3. Strolling: Get those steps in! Walk

to the furthest bathroom at work.

Get up to talk to a co-worker rather than instant messaging or calling them. Park in the farthest parking spot and walk while you’re talking on the phone. The goal is 10,000 steps per day.

4. Stairs: Did you know that climbing one flight of stairs burns approximately as many calories as taking 100 steps?

5. Samba: Dance it out! OK, you don’t have to jitterbug down the aisle, but when the music starts, let your body sway to the rhythm.

6. Switch: Get back to doing things by hand rather than having a machine do them for you.

It’s amazing how these small, seemingly insignificant choices we make each day can help us burn a fewhundred extra calories and prepare the body for more intense movement.

The goal is to walk for at least 30 minutes per day to burn fat, improve heart and bone health and potentially reduce your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis and even some cancers, so get moving!

Jacque McShane, PharmD, is a certified health, life and weight loss coach.

Reach her at jacque@forgehealth.me.

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37

Can’t get him to the

doctor?

Here’s what to do

BY JENNIFER GENTILE

“Hey, honey, have you called the doctor yet?”

No. No he hasn’t.

Unless he has severed a limb and is actively bleeding, your significant other has not made that medical appointment.

Despite your many weeks of harassment, he’s had more important things to do — like watching new episodes of “Tiger King” on Netflix or “fixing” a not-broken part on the car. In fact, a reported 72 percent of men said they would rather do household chores than go to the doctor.

That’s right — he’d rather scrub a toilet, or clean that unidentifiable goo from the bottom of the fridge, than say “ahh” for your general practitioner (resist the urge to exploit this knowledge).

So, you join the legions of other women pulling out their hair and screaming futilely to the sky. What gives!? Why is getting a guy in front of a physician mission impossible?

Men have offered numerous reasons for their resistance.

According to a Cleveland Clinic survey, these included embarrassment or discomfort with

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January 2022

discussing certain issues, not wanting to be told that they should change their diet or lifestyle, not being ready to face a troubling diagnosis and not wanting to be judged (one-quarter of men say they’ve “felt judged” by their doctors).

Other excuses you’ve likely heard are that he’s simply “too busy” or “doesn’t need to go.”

While this stubbornness may seem silly, it can have profound consequences.

Regular checkups and screenings can reveal the early signs of serious conditions, like heart disease or prostate cancer. Plus, the more of a rapport a man develops with a doctor through routine visits, the more comfortable he will feel returning and divulging information in the future.

You may despair that your good-natured pleas (aka: nagging) will never penetrate his hard outer shell (aka: thick skull), but take heart. Research has shown that spouses or significant others can play a big role in helping men get a handle on their health.

HERE ARE SOME TIPS FOR GETTING HIM TO THAT APPOINTMENT: 1. Reframe the request. Let’s face it — if hounding him hasn’t worked so far, it’s time to change your approach. Be sincere, and let him know that keeping him healthy is a top priority for you and your family.

And make sure to stick to the facts — like catching a condition early often makes it easier, and ultimately less expensive, to treat.

2. Help him prepare: Even if it’s just a matter of filling out a few forms, he may see the prep for a medical appointment as an ordeal. Offer to lend a hand helping him get ready, which includes composing a list of questions or concerns for the doctor. If he goes over these with you in advance, it likely won’t be as intimidating to share them with the doctor.

3. Try telehealth: After the pandemic, he can no longer use the “but-I-don’t-havetime-to-drive-there” excuse. Telehealth has exploded, and patients now can talk to their doctors from the comfort of their own homes. It’ll barely cut into his ESPN time!

Statistics show that roughly 44 percent of men prefer an appointment online or by phone, so telehealth may be the perfect solution for a reluctant patient.

4. Be patient: You have asked him 5,831 times to go to the doctor, and if he refuses one more time, you’re ready to send him to the ER with a head wound. Before you ensure he REALLY needs medical attention, pause and consider that it may take time for him to overcome his hang-ups. With your understanding and support, he’ll eventually come around.

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MBSAQIP works to advance safe, high-quality care for bariatric surgical patients through the accreditation of bariatric surgical centers. A bariatric surgical center achieves accreditation following a rigorous review process during which it proves that it can maintain certain physical resources, human resources, and standards of practice. All accredited centers report their outcomes to the MBSAQIP database.

“We are thrilled to be able to offer our patients this level of service at Memorial,” says Memorial Surgeon Director Dr. Kristine Carter. She continues, “Our staff has trained extensively, and we follow specific protocols and guidelines to ensure we meet all the standards set forth by MBSAQIP. This is an exciting new chapter for our bariatric program, and we look forward to sharing it with the community!”

JESSICA

Memorial offers laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (gastric sleeve), and the Memorial GI team also offers endoscopic balloon (gastric balloon weight loss system). Nonoperative weight loss counseling and instruction are also available, including a monthly support group for patients led by a bariatric certified RN. Jessica is just one of the many patients who has had a successful weight loss journey with the help of the Memorial weight loss surgical team. She had the gastric sleeve procedure in 2020 and has since lost 128 pounds. She says, “I was ready to take control over my body and live a healthier lifestyle. This choice has been nothing but amazing. Seven weeks after I had the surgery, I became pregnant with twins. They are now three months old, and my body is still doing as it should!” Jessica reiterates that the surgery is just one tool, but when coupled with other crucial factors such as a healthy diet, increased water intake, and an active lifestyle, success will follow.

To earn MBSAQIP Accreditation, Memorial met essential criteria for staffing, training, facility infrastructure and patient care pathways, ensuring its ability to support patients with obesity.

For more information about weight loss surgical options at Memorial, visit wearememorial.com/weightlosssurgery or call 228-867-4220.

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January 2022

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Self-care SEPARATING THE HYPE FROM THE HELPFUL

What’s all this buzz surrounding “self-care?” It’s a term that’s seemingly everywhere you look, especially on social media. In fact, “self-care” has become so big and overused that it can be difficult to determine what it really is at its core and why it matters.

BY KAROL BRANDT For me, self-care increasingly feels like yet another thing to do more of and do better. It’s hard to cut through the hype to truly understand and practice self-care.

How did we get here, and what can we do to reclaim this worthy concept and reclaim its meaning?

The more I researched the overuse of this buzz word, the more I started to identify what truly constitutes self-care. However, it’s easy to see how it evokes something quite specific for those posting about it, such as having a diet “cheat day,” muting people online, taking lunch instead of working through it, binging on Netflix or taking a hike.

Self-care became something specific that does not take much time and allows us to exercise small forms of control over a world that can feel fast-changing and dominated by chaos. This is the pattern that #selfcare as a trending hashtag has taken, but from a mental health and wellness perspective, it means something more integral to daily thriving and stress maintenance.

Self-care is a way for us to give back to ourselves and release everyday pressures. It doesn’t require you to buy anything, like many marketing/social media entities would have you believe. It can be taking a quiet moment to process or making a simple cup of tea. If you’re present and focused on slowing down, that can be self-care. Sometimes we think it’s bubble baths and face masks, which it can be — but you can’t exactly stop what you’re doing at work to take a bath.

You can’t buy self-care, either, yet that’s how the concept is frequently spun in our society. If we’re feeling anxious, overwhelmed or stressed, social media tells us self-care can fix that; buy it here! The more we, the consumers, talk about selfcare online, the more companies recognize the need for it and commodify it.

If like me, you’re feeling burnt out on the idea of “self-care,” chances are you have fallen into the void that is self-care marketing. It’s time, then, to get back to basics of this crucial practice.

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January 2022

HERE’S HOW TO UNDERSTAND SELF-CARE TO PRACTICE IT AUTHENTICALLY: 1. KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SELF-CARE AND SELF-SOOTHING. Marketing conflates self-care with self-soothing in its promotion of purchasing spa experiences and other consumeroriented products that might relieve stress in the moment. Real self-care, in its purest form, has little to do with indulging in goods and services. Self-care starts from within, with your thoughts, experience of moments, etc., and is designed to build a sense of self and of calm so you are more resilient. Self-soothing involves using and marketing goods and services with the promise of, ‘Do this thing right now, and you will feel better.”

2. SELF-CARE COMES DOWN TO A SET OF

ROUTINES.

“Self-care” is a set of behaviors and activities that you perform regularly and contribute to your ongoing wellbeing. These things include hygiene, diet/nutrition, getting enough sleep, exercise, maintaining social connections, work and healthy, open communication.

3. KEEPING TABS ON YOUR HEALTH IS THE ESSENCE OF SELF-CARE.

Self-care centers upon the idea of being aware of yourself every single day and asking yourself questions like, “Did I get enough sleep? Did I eat right? Did I get in some exercise?”

Anything can be self-care, and adding it to your everyday life can be easy once you have an idea of what you need and how it will work with your life. We’re all different, and self-care reflects who we are and what we need to process stress.

Wishing you health, happiness and authentic self-care in the new year!

Karol Brandt is an executive host with Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort, as well as co-author of the Amazon best-seller “The Struggle is Real: Finally Break the Dieting Cycle, Transform Your Mind and Body, and Evolve into The Person You Have Always Wanted to Be” and the “30-Day Evolve Challenge Journal.” Contact Brandt by email at karol.brandt@scarletpearlcasino.com, Facebook/ The Struggle Is Real or Instagram at karolbrandtnola.

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Why checking your hormones isn’t always helpful – or necessary

BY DR. ALISHA WARE

A

lmost every day, a woman comes to my clinic asking to have her hormones checked.

Sometimes it’s for typical menopausal symptoms, like hot flashes, night sweats or mood swings. Most often, it’s for fatigue, weight gain or decreased libido. Only sometimes is it necessary or appropriate to measure hormone levels.

Many times, we know what’s going on just by the symptoms. The average age of menopause onset is 52, so if a woman in her late 40s or early 50s is complaining of hot flashes or night sweats, it isn’t necessary to assess hormone levels in the blood. We know they will be low. Investigation might be warranted, however, for the same symptoms in a much younger woman.

It’s important to understand which hormones we can check and what those values mean. The brain makes FSH and LH to tell our ovaries what to do. If ovaries are failing, FSH will rise.

Estrogen and progesterone are the hormones ovaries make. Symptoms of low estrogen are those of menopause: hot flashes, night sweats and vaginal

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January 2022

dryness. Varying levels of estrogen and progesterone can be responsible for headaches, nausea, bloating, abdominal cramps, irregular bleeding, breast pain, depression or sleep disruption. Often, these symptoms may come and go at different times in the cycle because there is a vast change in the level of these hormones over the course of a normal cycle.

If some symptoms are magnified, we often use formulation of hormones like birth control pills to overcome what the ovaries are doing and provide a stable hormone level to see if this addresses the symptoms. Because levels of estrogen and progesterone change every day, sometimes dramatically, drawing these levels isn’t usually helpful.

The thyroid gland makes thyroid hormone, which is a major metabolic force. Symptoms of low thyroid include cold intolerance, weight gain, hair loss and fatigue. Symptoms of elevated thyroid levels can include heat intolerance, rapid heart rate, palpitations and weight loss. All these symptoms can occur very commonly.

We check thyroid levels very often, but they are usually normal. So while thyroid disease should always be ruled out, don’t bet on hypothyroidism being the cause of your weight gain.

Many people read about cortisol levels and the symptoms that can come with elevated cortisol. Elevated

cortisol without a tumor is often due to Cushing’s disease. This is a very uncommon disease and usually presents with very specific symptoms such as a moon face, a buffalo hump on the back of the neck, central obesity and stretch marks. It’s usually more than weight gain and fatigue.

Testing for Cushing’s disease is more specialized and may require referral to an endocrinologist.

Decreased libido may or may not be due to low testosterone, but this is a very common cause. Sometimes small amounts of testosterone supplementation can be helpful.

Though testing testosterone levels is possible, normal levels of free testosterone in women are not clearly established.

In summary, although we can measure hormones, establishing a diagnosis of “imbalance” is very difficult because the numbers aren’t very useful for some hormones; follow your doctor’s recommendation about which tests are useful. The best course of action is often to manipulate the hormone levels to see if symptoms resolve.

Dr. Alisha Ware is an obstetrics and gynecology specialist with The Woman’s Clinic PA. Reach her at (228) 822-6368.

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45

TRESSE SUMRALL Tresse is co-owner of White Pillars Restaurant and Lounge with her husband, Austin. They have a 6-year-old son, Ollie, and a 9-month-old-pup, Griffin.

IRENE MAGEE Irene is executive pastor with Empowerment Ministries Christian Center and CEO of Magee Financial Tax Services. She is also a wife, mother of five, pastor’s wife and entrepreneur. As an early retired star math teacher, she has sought to help tutor children and adults.

Our routine is ever-changing, depending on the day. Large events, and the restaurant business in general, involve a lot of early mornings and late nights. Along with running the business and managing roughly 30 employees, I specifically handle office duties and coordinate events for White Pillars.

I have to give a lot of credit to both of our mothers, Cindy Necaise and Dawn Sumrall; we simply couldn’t do this without them! They offer a plethora of advice and tons of support, keeping our son with our crazy schedules while both working full time themselves. They are a shining example of what it takes to be hardworking and supportive mothers that I strive to emulate every day. It is important for me as a busy mom to try to have fun and enjoy our family time every chance we get, even if we have to do it at the restaurant so we can all be together.

Looking from the outside in, it may appear that I always manage everything well, but this is very far from the truth. In fact, there are many times that I feel like I am drowning trying to balance all that I do daily.

Just like a washing machine knocks when it is overloaded or off balance, so do we. If we are feeling anxious or overwhelmed, we begin to knock and show signs such as anger, moodiness and depression, and we find ourselves cranky and unpleasant to be around. When I find this happening to me, I remind myself that this is not how God intended for me to live. Since I am created in His image, then I realize that because He does all things well, then so can I. If I had to sum it up, I would say living a balanced life isn’t giving everything the same amount of time. It’s prioritizing things daily, making sure that you set aside time for yourself, and learning to say “no” when it’s necessary, sharing or delegating responsibility, organizing your time with a written plan for all We all know them — women who make your responsibilities and asking God life look effortless. They appear to have it all what you are supposed to be doing together, flawlessly juggling their various roles so that you can do everything he at home, work and in the community, while wants you to do well. the rest of us wonder: “What’s her secret?!”

Here, five busy, successful women share how they navigate through a typical day and what PAIGE it takes to achieve a healthy balance.

FINDING BALANCE Tips from successful women

TESSY LAMBERT Tessy is chief marketing officer with Lodging and Leisure Investments, as well as wife to husband Jed and mom to daughter Laykin.

Every day for me is completely different. I typically begin my days with a 4 a.m. cup of coffee, and a 5 a.m. barre class before heading off to my office at Margaritaville. That is where I juggle marketing our four main family-owned businesses here on the Coast: Margaritaville Resort Biloxi, White House Hotel, Hotel Legends and Centennial Plaza.

Professionally, I am our company’s CMO, responsible for future planning and curating our advertising and marketing messages to the world, but I consider my most important role to be the wife of my high school sweetheart and mother to our 13-year-old daughter. We all know that juggling roles is hard, and doing so within a family business brings its own unique set of challenges.

To be a good juggler, it’s all in the throw — multitasking, making quick decisions and being consistent. No one person can do all it takes to keep our businesses running, so having a dependable team that can handle anything I throw their way and run with it is how we keep it all together.

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January 2022

ROBERTS Paige is president and CEO at Jackson County Chamber of Commerce and a mom to three sons.

It’s 8 p.m. on a Thursday evening, and I just returned home from a barre class — only the second one I’ve ever taken. It is humbling. I’m the oldest student by 15 years, with the widest hips and the creakiest knees, but I’m present and participating, sweating as an oldie rather than to the oldies. Ha! I’ll turn 52 in a few days, and I am determined to maintain a healthy body, mind and spirit.

Health is key to life balance. Physical, mental and spiritual wellbeing determines the tilt of our scale. Without exercise, counseling and faith, my job would devour me, and my children would disown me.

Take today, when I coordinated a program for local high school students to better prepare them for job interviews, researched a revenue generator for one of our communities, assisted one of our mayors with a public relations effort and hosted a ribbon-cutting

for a new business.

I’m also, and always, a mom to three sons in college, high school and middle school, respectively. The two at home play five sports between them. Sometimes, I use a spreadsheet to track all their practices and games. I don’t get to see every game, but there is always someone who loves them in the stands or on the sidelines.

I practice yoga, workout at a gym and run. I check in regularly with a psychiatrist, attend church, and memorize scripture. Some days, despite my best efforts, it all goes wrong — but I’ll try again tomorrow.

MORGAN BOGOLIN Morgan is director of resource development and marketing for Boys & Girls Clubs of the Gulf Coast, as well as mother to 5-year-old Amira, graduate student at the University of Southern Mississippi, board member for Coast Young Professionals, River Oaks Elementary PTA president and consultant with Legacy Business League.

A typical day in my life consists of getting my determined, outspoken and witty 5-year-old off to school before heading to my day job of helping to secure funding and sharing the impact of Boys & Girls Clubs with the community. Depending on the day, afternoons are filled with PTA calls, Girl Scout Troop meetings, church, CYP events, working with Legacy Business League, and/ or completing assignments for my classes at USM. And of course, the laundry and dishes don’t take care of themselves, but the robot vacuum is a big help.

(My advice is) be passionate about everything you do. Of course, organization, to-do lists, calendars and reminders are a big help, but the fire that keeps me going is the passion I have for everything I do. From watching my daughter get a new patch on her Girl Scouts tunic to helping bring new opportunities to children of Boys & Girls Clubs to being a part of helping minority business owners’ visions come to fruition to walking across the stage to receive my master’s degree, I love being a part of everything God has placed in my path. Prioritizing is always a must, but, as my boss tells us, sometimes it is “both/and,” not “either/or.”

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Your Health is Important in Dr. Paige White is here for you Dr. Paige White is a board-certified urologist and is dedicated to providing quality care for a range of urological conditions.

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49

Six steps to becoming a

meal-prepping pro

BY JENNIFER GENTILE

From saving money to improving their health, people have a range of reasons to start mealprepping. Individuals and families are embracing this habit — which involves making batches of healthy meals at home to eat throughout the week — in increasing numbers. If you’re ready to make this lifestyle change, or you already have and want to streamline your process, here are some helpful tips: 1. BUY QUALITY CONTAINERS

When you’re meal prepping, putting food in proper containers ensures it will stay fresher longer and reheat more easily.

Pick up a variety of shapes and sizes to accommodate any food you choose to store. Glass containers tend to be more popular among preppers than plastic, as they conduct heat better, are more environmentally friendly, are microwave and dishwasher safe and leak proof.

2. CREATE A SCHEDULE

Success starts with a plan, and meal prepping is no exception. Determine which days of the week you can take time to cook, shop and do other related tasks, and

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January 2022

allocate time for them in your schedule. It may be difficult at first to incorporate the process into your daily life, but it will get easier and faster the more you do it. Plus, you’ll gain back all the time you spent planning meals on the fly.

3. START SLOW, AND KEEP IT SIMPLE

You may be raring to go and ready to churn out a fridge full of gourmet meals in one day. Instead, ease into it and give yourself a chance to get acclimated. Try a recipe or two the first week, and then increase your output as you get more comfortable. Also, don’t assume that the more complicated a recipe is, the better it must be. Especially as you’re getting started, stick with simpler fare that’s delicious, easy to make and reheats well.

4. STAY ORGANIZED

Meal prep requires order and consistency — namely staying on top of your ingredient inventory and scheduling what you will eat each day. As soon as you run out of something, add it to your shopping list — which you can write out or keep stored on your phone. That way, you won’t forget to pick it up on your weekly grocery store run. On your paper

or electronic calendar, keep track of which meals you will eat and when. It’s also a good idea to have a physical or digital place/folder set aside for storing recipes.

Finally, arrange your pantry and fridge in a clear, consistent way that allows you to find what you’re looking for quickly.

5. ESTABLISH YOUR STAPLES — AND KEEP THEM WELL STOCKED

Even if you like being adventurous and trying new recipes, you’ll likely find yourself reaching for certain key items in your fridge or pantry every day. These could be anything from chicken breasts and eggs to rice and oatmeal. Whatever you use a lot of, buy it in bulk to ensure you always have it on hand.

6. GET COMFORTABLE WITH MULTITASKING

While your veggies are roasting in the oven, you can be making rice on the stovetop. While your meat is cooking in the crockpot, you can be mixing or chopping on the counter. By doing multiple things at once, you can accomplish more in a shorter amount of time.

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51

BY DR. ERIC WASHINGTON

Breaking past

exercise barriers The benefits of exercise and healthy eating in reducing various illnesses and associated deaths are widely accepted.

Approximately 23 percent of adults ages 18-64 meet the recommended guidelines for exercise, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; however, only 18.5 percent of adults in Mississippi routinely meet them. According to HHS, the guidelines include: 1. Muscle strengthening exercises at least twice weekly 2. 150-300 minutes of moderate aerobic exercises weekly — or 3. 75-150 minutes of vigorous aerobic exercises weekly These are baseline recommendations and should be attainable by most adults. However, based on the data above, that’s obviously easier said than done. From illnesses and medical conditions to “gym intimidation,” busy schedules, and everything in between, we all have our reasons for not exercising. Life happens, and so do injuries, but that doesn’t mean you have to stop your workouts entirely.

There are several types of orthopaedic sports injuries, so getting to the bottom of what’s going on is important. After consulting with a sports medicine specialist and getting the green light to exercise, you’ll want to ease back into it. While rehabbing, some common activities I recommend include swimming, biking, and other low-impact aerobic and resistance workouts. The overall process is to: • Mobilize the joint and surrounding muscles. Skip the weights and use only your body weight to evaluate how the joint feels and the amount of movement you can perform safely and without pain.

• Strengthen the stabilizing muscles with slow and steady controlled movement, exercises that focus on maintaining your balance and use of little to only body weight and high repetitions.

• Practice correct positioning and movement patterns.

Exercises based on movement patterns can enhance

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mobility while promoting stability. Your body is designed to move, and efficient movement involves numerous muscles and joints working together simultaneously. The human body has five basic movement patterns: bending, single-sided, rotational, pushing and pulling. Implementing functional training into your workout corrects faulty form, increases muscle definition, enhances neuromuscular strength and helps prevent injuries.

• Slowly build strength through volume and load. Increasing volume slowly over time will produce sustainable, longterm gains compared to a rapid increase in volume. Work to make incremental increases from week to week by adding a small percentage of weight.

• Consistently monitor for pain and discomfort. If you feel any pain or discomfort, that’s a movement you need to avoid while you heal. Ultimately, it’s imperative to take things slow, be consistent with your rehab and ease back into workouts.

My colleagues and I routinely encourage patients to start or maintain regular exercise regimens to improve overall health, as it can favorably impact some of our more common and disabling chronic diseases such as obesity, diabetes, cardiac disease and hypertension. However, following an orthopaedic injury, it’s important to consult with a physician before starting or resuming physical activity, as preventing further injury is the top priority.

Dr. Eric Washington joined Bienville Orthopaedic Specialists in December 2002. He generally works out of their Pascagoula office and Singing River Hospital, and he is board certified in orthopaedic surgery. Reach him at (228) 230BONE (2663).

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53

Losing weight, gaining hope After the indulgences of the holidays, it’s typical to start the new year with high hopes of weight loss. If you’ve been caught in the vicious cycle of fad diets and quick fixes, you may be frustrated with limited results. General surgeons, Dr. Scott Blackburn and Dr. Derek Ware, answer some of the common questions they receive from patients who are interested in surgical weight loss options.

Donda, age 38 and weight loss patient, says, “I tried to lose weight most of my adult life and never could succeed. I was prediabetic, my blood pressure was crazy high, and I was just unhealthy. I found it to be in my best interest to do something about my weight so that I could live longer and enjoy my family,” she says.

With the guidance of her provider, Dr. Blackburn, Donda decided the gastric sleeve was the right option. Since her procedure in June 2020, Donda has lost 135 pounds.

She continues, “My only regret is not doing it sooner! My quality of life has improved drastically. I’m no longer considered diabetic, my blood pressure is perfect, and I can do so much more with my family and friends. It absolutely hasn’t been easy, but so worth it!”

WHO IS THE IDEAL CANDIDATE FOR WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY?

Dr. Blackburn: An ideal patient will need to meet certain criteria, including a BMI greater than 35 with co-morbidities or a BMI greater than 40 with no comorbidities. This person is motivated but has failed with physician-directed diets in the past.

WHAT CAN A PATIENT DO TO ENSURE THEIR WEIGHT LOSS SURGERY IS SUCCESSFUL?

Dr. Blackburn: Long-term, sustained weight loss involves a sound mind, a diet and exercise plan and selfcontrol, as well as accountability. Emotional preparation is also key. Patients should want to change their habits and work harder at dealing with their vices — such as binge eating, depression, anger, etc. Most insurance companies will require a behavioral health evaluation and nutrition counseling.

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January 2022

BEFORE

Dr. Ware

Dr. Blackburn

AFTER

WHAT IS RECOVERY LIKE FOR PATIENTS WHO HAVE WEIGHT-LOSS SURGERY?

Dr. Ware: Most patients recover within two to four weeks. The main delay in recovery is the advancement of diet over the six-week, post-op period. Overall, recovery appears to be dependent on the adaptability of the patient to diet changes.

Dr. Scott Blackburn and Dr. Derek Ware are general surgeons at Memorial. For more information about weight loss surgery, call 228-867-4220.

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55

STOMACH PROBLEMS? Memorial Gastroenterology Team

IS GROWING!

We are pleased to welcome to our medical staff

Darrell Finlay, MD

J. Trippe McNeese, MD

Gulf Coast Gastroenterology

Gulf Coast Gastroenterology (228) 867-4150 Biloxi 14209 Cook Road, Suite 200

Angela Pressley-Wallace, MD

Pediatric Gastroenterologist Digestive Health Center

Digestive Health Center

(228) 872-6291 Biloxi

147 Reynoir Street, Ste 301 9424 Three Rivers Rd., Ste A

Gulfport

Ocean Springs

Alva Dillon, MD

Alfred McNair, Jr., MD

John McKee III, MD

Peter Bernheim, MD Navin Barot, MD

J. Kirk Campbell, MD

Memorial Gastroenterology (228) 575-2700

3882 Bienville Blvd.

3890 Bienville Blvd.

90 Industrial Park Circle Pascagoula 3616 Hospital Road

Scott Gioe, MD

Marc Hopkins, MD

Gastroenterology Center (228) 863-8836 Gulfport 4500 West Railroad Street

Gulfport Memorial Medical Office Building

1340 Broad Avenue, Suite 300

Diamondhead 4300 Leisure Time Drive

WeAreMemorial.com/gastroenterology or call (228) 867-5000 56

January 2022

style

XO Clothing Co. — a stylish success story OCEAN SPRINGS BOUTIQUE THRIVES IN CHALLENGING TIMES

BY JENNIFER GENTILE

XO Clothing Co. began with a dream — and a lot of prayers — in Jamie Rhodes’s home.

The timing of March 2020 posed unforeseen challenges, coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the online boutique took off nonetheless. The business, which Rhodes launched with her stepdaughter, Tristan Whorton, and her daughter’s best friend, Liz Letort, expanded into a small warehouse built by Rhodes’s husband.

On Nov. 19, 2021, XO reached a milestone with the opening of a brick-andmortar store in downtown Ocean Springs.

“In less than two years, we've had three locations, a new storefront and blew up significantly on social media, Rhodes says. “It was the kind of growth you pray for, but you aren't sure it's real until you sit back and soak it all in.”

The location, at 3000 Bienville Blvd., is meaningful to Rhodes because it once housed her family’s business, Rhodes Flooring America.

“My dad bought this building in 1980 and ran a successful business for over 30 years,” she says. “I am so honored to be able to continue to run a successful family business in the same place my family made so many memories.”

She started working in the family business at the age of 16, and she also started a business with her husband, which is still in operation. Design has always been Rhodes’s forte, and she loves making spaces beautiful — a talent she sought to expand into clothing.

She and Whorton share a passion for

fashion, Rhodes adds, “and knew we could be an unstoppable team together.” Letort remains on the XO team as well, running the store’s social media, customer service, and warehouse.

“Our core philosophy is to be a boutique driven by fashion, fueled by women and empowered by you!” she says. “We work extremely hard to make sure we have something for everyone! “We are still expanding our options and hope to be able to offer every single woman an item that makes her feel beautiful.”

XO carries an extensive selection of tops, bottoms, outerwear, dresses, rompers, two-piece sets, shoes, accessories and much more. From cozy jackets and sweaters to denim and coastal wardrobe essentials, the boutique continually refreshes its inventory to keep up with what’s popular.

“Whereas California might be starting

up a new trend, my goal is to bring that to the Gulf Coast (quickly) instead of letting that trend mosey its way down a year later,” Rhodes says. “I pride myself on being trendy and fashionable so customers can find something unique each time they shop with us.”

The pandemic has caused cost increases, shipping delays and other issues, but Rhodes says staying positive has allowed the business to overcome those setbacks.

She looks forward to watching the boutique expand its presence not only on the Gulf Coast, but far beyond.

“In five to 10 years, I see this business being one of the most well-known boutiques while also keeping that hometown feel,” she says, “and making sure everyone who comes into contact with us feels beautiful and loved.”

IF YOU GO: XO CLOTHING CO. 3000 Bienville Blvd. Ocean Springs (601) 517-9696 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday through Friday. xoclothingco.com; Facebook: XO Clothing Co.; Instagram: shopxoclothingco www.gcwmultimedia.com

57

The worst mistakes I made WHILE LEARNING TO APPLY MAKEUP

A

BY LAUREN RILEY

s a young girl, I loved makeup, but I always seemed to use so much of everything. I know you’ve heard makeup described as looking “cakey,” and let me tell you — mine did. I used products that were too dark, too light, too pink and

all around too thick.

When I look at photos, I often wonder why my mom let me walk out the door looking the way I did. I’m sure I told her I knew what I was doing, but in truth, YouTube wasn’t teaching me exactly what I needed to know.

MISTAKE 1: APPLYING WAY TOO MUCH FOUNDATION

Most people think more is better, but less truly is more — especially if you are using a powder to set your foundation or have a more matte appearance. When I first started doing makeup, I used a foundation shade that was extremely dark, which made my skin appear orange. I also used a thick foundation, like Kat Von D, which is way too thick and way too matte for someone with dry, younger skin like me. So, when you are looking for a liquid foundation, let someone color match you. Once they color match you, step outside in the natural sunlight to see if it disappears into your skin like it's supposed to.

MISTAKE NUMBER 2: USING THE WRONG CONCEALER SHADE UNDER THE EYES

Most of us are guilty of this, and honestly, I still do it sometimes (Whoops! Don’t tell on me!). I used to put shades of concealer under my eyes to “highlight,” but it was like five shades too light.

A rule of thumb, which is also opinion-based, is that you should go one to two shades lighter underneath your eyes to conceal and give a brightening effect. If you go too light, the contrast on your face from concealer to foundation to bronzer/contour will be overly contrasted and give a more over-the-top appearance.

Of course, if that’s how you like your makeup, then you do you, sister! I know you’re beautiful either way.

MISTAKE NUMBER 3: CONFUSING CONTOUR FOR BRONZER, AND VICE VERSA

Contour is an ashy shade to add a shadow to your face. Bronzer is supposed to mimic where sunlight hits and warm up your face. I used to always use bronzer as contour, and it was always just a blur. It truly did nothing for my face.

I will tell you a secret, though: The only time I contour is when

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January 2022

I’m going somewhere nice. Most days, I just slap on some bronzer and warm up my face, but I only put it on the spots the sun would hit if I were standing outside.

I pray you had the best holiday season and wish you the happiest New Year!

Lauren Riley is a makeup artist and hairdresser on the Coast, specializing in on-location wedding and event makeup, blondes and hand-tied extensions.

Contact her or learn more at www.laurenrileyhairmakeup.com or facebook.com/laurenrileyhairmakeup.

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59

Going GREEN

FROM HIGH-END DESIGNERS TO FAST FASHION, THE SEASON’S MUST-HAVE COLOR IS SPROUTING EVERYWHERE

H&M straightcut coat $29.99

BY JASMINE BALL

Nasty Gal high-waisted tailored wide leg pants $39.00

Hanifa Miya knit cardigan dress $269.00

Zara pleated dress with ruffles $49.90

One of my favorite things to do is research which colors will be a hit for the upcoming season. With the start of the new year being a time of new beginnings, it’s only right to add new tones into your wardrobe.

As we kick off 2022, the color that’s starting to stand out to me is green, and one of the shades that has made an impression is emerald. Green can symbolize renewal, health, growth and wealth. It’s also soothing, which is just what we all need to counteract the stress of the last couple of years.

I love that brands like Hanifa are creating clothing that empowers women to wear colors outside of their comfort zone. For example, one of my favorite Hanifa pieces is the Miya knit cardigan dress. It’s practical and perfect for everyday use. Designer Anifa Mvuemba creates clothing that’s designed to make you not only feel good, but look great without even trying.

Other major designers, from Prada and Victoria Beckham to Michael Kors and Bottega Veneta, paraded green looks on the runway starting in 2020, and the color has only gained momentum since. During the pandemic, we’ve spent more time than ever holed up at home, so it’s no wonder we crave a color that represents nature and renewal.

High-end labels are far from the only ones embracing the trend, and now even fast fashion brands like Zara are stocking pieces in forest green, hunter green and even kelly green instead of, or in addition to, the staple black.

I’m not saying that green is the new black, but it’s definitely having a moment.

Jasmine Ball is a Mississippi fashion, beauty and lifestyle blogger. Connect with her via Instagram (Miss_Ball23), her blog site (www.theball-post.com) or by email at theballpost1@gmail.com.

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January 2022

A Gallery Gift Shop Celebrating the Creative Spirit!

Hope your Christmas was merry and bright and you enjoyed every minute with friends and family. Stop in at the Nest for a special gift for your home or yourself.

SHOP ONLINE

www.robinsnestinthepass.com

Latisha Lewis Price

Independent Sales Director www.marykay.com/latishalewisprice or latishalewis30@gmail.com

228-617-0188

distinctive jewelry art gifts 255 DAVIS AVENUE PASS CHRISTIAN, MS 39571 www.RobinsNestinthePass.com

228.222.4863 STORE HOURS

Monday - Friday 10 - 5 and Saturday 10 - 4 www.gcwmultimedia.com

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ADVERTORIAL Myra Bag $104 Jen & Co Bag$50

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January 2022

Our Sweet Dreams Robe $28 Our Bride Shoes In Gold & Silver $24

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BY THE WEDDING COLLECTION

Cheers to 2022!

HERE’S TO A YEAR OF GOOD HEALTH, LOTS OF LOVE, AND PLENTY OF SHOPPING!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! LOVE, SHARON & SHELBY

The Shoppes at Mary Mahoney’s 110 Rue Magnolia, Biloxi 228.818.3233 www.gcwmultimedia.com

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January 2022

WWW.WOMANSCLINICPA.NET

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The February edition of Gulf Coast Woman will celebrate people and companies that have created legacies in South Mississippi.

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Vivamus ac urna vel lectus quis justo. Integer tempor. elementum mauris vitae leo pretium faucibus. Mauris ante.

Aliquam sapien. non augue tortor. In dapibus orci.

Curabitur bibendum justo non Maecenas aliquet Etiam posuere quam ac quam. fermentum ipsum. accumsan leo. Nullam dapibus Nulla est. Nulla Etiam quis quam. Integer lacinia. suscipit a, interdum id, turpis magna, cursus sit amet, rutrum consequat. nibh a sem vulputate felis. Integer pretium lectus id Maecenas lorem. Pellentesque eget, tristique non, turpis. Etiam sapien elit, consequat Phasellus faucibus venenatis quis, ante. Fusce wisi.

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et, interdum orci. Duis sapien nunc, commodo Pellentesque suscipit, sollicitudin et, dolor. et netus et habitant morbi tristique senectus Aliquam malesuada fames ac turpis egestas. ad litora id dolor. Class aptent taciti sociosqu per inceptos torquent per conubia nostra, augue. Fusce hymenaeos. Mauris dictum facilisis fermentum, tellus. Pellentesque arcu. Maecenas velit turpis volutpat sem in pharetra pellentesque, a lectus. Sed elit dui, ante, in pharetra metus odio nec, diam. pellentesque a, faucibus vel, interdum Mauris dolor felis, sagittis at,

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65

weddings

S O YO U J U ST G OT

engaged

By Jennifer Gentile

Perhaps it happened during a quiet moment between just the two of you. Maybe he tipped off your friends and family, so your nearest and dearest got to witness your happy tears. However the proposal happened, congratulations on your engagement! The wedding journey is just beginning, and as any bride can attest, the to-do list can get overwhelming in a hurry.

Our advice: Take the process step by step, and make the most important decisions first. Now that you have the ring, here’s what to do next:

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January 2022

S HARE THE NEWS

Tell your VIPs, either by phone or in person, before posting the news to social media.

SET BOUNDARIES

Be prepared for a deluge of opinions about when, where and how you should get married, and accept that you can’t please everyone. Avoid committing or agreeing to anything for the first few weeks while you and your fiancé hone your vision. In the meantime, receive suggestions gratefully, but don’t feel obligated to say “yes.”

SET A DATE

You can’t make many other decisions until you know when the big day will be, so first things first. You may immediately have a season in mind, or even dates that are meaningful to you and your significant other, so you can start there. Take care to avoid any scheduling conflicts for your VIP guests, and make sure you give yourself plenty of time to plan — bearing in mind that many popular vendors are booked a year or more in advance.

SET A BUDGET

Like your date, you need a budget before you can do much else. Be clear on who is contributing what, and communicate early and often, to prevent misunderstandings later. Head count greatly affects the bottom line (not to mention the size venue you’ll need), so tailor your guest list to what you can reasonably afford.

START RESEARCHING VENUES

This step may well determine your wedding date, as it may depend on when your preferred venue is available. When choosing where to hold your wedding, make sure the venue aligns with your vision, fits your budget and can accommodate your guest list comfortably.

MOST IMPORTANTLY — SAVOR THE MOMENT

Coordinating a wedding can get overwhelming quickly. This is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion, so pause to enjoy it before launching into planning mode.

the planning

the dress

Collection and Couture Gowns Bridal Accessories Bridesmaid and Mothers’ Gowns

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We established WHITE to help our brides take the stress away of trying to find adorable white attire year around. We carry an array of fun earrings, bags, luxury gift items, personalized bride and bridesmaid items, clothes, and more!

Come see us at WHITE by The Wedding Collection, we cannot wait to fill your closet with all things white!!

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Love & Great Food ARE ON THE MENU

at the Coast’s Most Elegant Address.

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tenesha.batiste@gmail.com | (228) 238-8307 4341 Gautier Vancleave Road | Suite 8 | Gautier, MS 39553 WWW.TENESHAANDCOMPANY.COM Photographer’s Credit: TD, Amore Photography, and Heritage Photography

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January 2022

home & family

Tidiness rules for a neater, less stressful new year

BY MELANIE JONES

Welcome to 2022! It’s a brand-new year with new thoughts, new dreams and new behaviors. Did you know that having a tidy, well-organized home is good for your mental health? Being tidy can reduce stress and create clarity and peace of mind.

Clutter, on the other hand, can overwhelm our minds as much as our homes and pile on stress. This can negatively affect other areas of life, so let’s talk about some simple ways to start the new year off right, with a plan to keep our environment neat and organized.

Most of us would love to come home from work each day to a clean and well-kept home, but there are specific habits we must follow to make this happen.

HERE ARE JUST A FEW OF THESE SIMPLE GUIDELINES:

• First and foremost, you must designate a home for all your belongings. This is a key factor in being organized. When this is done, all you must focus on is forming the habit of putting things back in their proper place.

• One of the best habits you can establish is making your bed in the morning. This takes discipline but will foster a feeling of peace and success and make the overall appearance of your room more tidy, even if other things are out of place.

• In the kitchen, there are two rules you must follow: 1. Always have a clean sink This is a very important rule and must become a daily habit. If you have a large family, each person should be responsible for immediately cleaning his or her own dish or placing it in the dishwasher. Dishes should never be left to sit in the sink. If you have a dishwasher, ensure it is emptied daily.

2. Do not pile things on the counters Counters should only be used for their purpose, which is to prepare food and drinks. They are not a place for bookbags, purses, mail, etc. They should be kept free of everything except kitchen items, and those should be kept neat and visually appealing.

• For the rest of the house, follow the golden rule: If you take it out, put it back.

If you begin your new year with these healthy habits, you are sure to enjoy your home more and be more relaxed in it! Happy New Year, and welcome to 2022!

Melanie Jones is owner and interior designer with 123 Organize and Design. Reach her at (228) 596-7178 or at 123organizeanddesign@gmail.com.

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CAREGIVERS’ CORNER

Put on your own oxygen mask first PRIORITIZE SELF-CARE IN THE NEW YEAR

DR. TRACY DANIEL-HARDY

I was preparing to cook a breakfast of pancakes, bacon, grits and eggs recently one Saturday morning for us, my parents, and my brother who was in town visiting. Normally breakfast does not consist of pancakes and grits.

However, my husband and I wanted pancakes, and my brother always requests that I prepare grits and eggs each morning of his stay when he is in town. When bacon is on the breakfast menu, I always start cooking it first because it generally takes longer than the rest of the meal.

After lining the sheet pan with foil, I realized that I was out of bacon. There was none in the fridge or the freezer.

The crazy part about this discovery is that just the day before, I’d moved one pack from my parents’ refrigerator to their freezer because I’d noticed that I’d overstocked them with bacon.

This revelation gave me pause because my over-preparation for their house and the under-preparation for ours has become common. I’d noticed previously that we’d run out of sodas and bottled water, but I’d made sure my parents had plenty of both. I realized that I was prioritizing their care over mine.

Many caregivers do the same — taking better care of those in their charge than of themselves. Chores and home repairs often go undone at their own homes while at the homes

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of those they care for, such things are meticulously managed. They report changes in behavior and health to doctors when they affect their loved ones but fail to book or keep medical appointments for themselves.

I can’t promise that I will master taking care of myself and my home as well I do for my parents, but I can try. I ask my caregiver friends who are reading to vow with me for the new year to avoid neglecting themselves. To those who are friends or family members of caregivers, please encourage and remind them to prioritize self-care and avoid sacrificing their own household and health for the sake of their duties.

Caregiving can be a difficult job, but it also can be very rewarding to care for someone who once cared for you.

What’s even more rewarding, though, is prioritizing self-care and ridding yourself of stressors that can make you ill or incapacitate you. Caregivers must put on their own oxygen masks first.

Doing this helps ensure that there’s a bit of “self” left to give to others, which helps improve the caregiver’s quality of life and allows her to provide better care to those in their charge.

Statistics show that most caregivers are women age 49 or older. Many of them work full time while juggling a family of their own. I am pretty sure many of these women find themselves constantly worrying. They may even lack the ability to remember things or have problems concentrating because they are in a constant state of overload.

Some caregivers may abuse alcohol, drugs and/or food or find themselves always irritable, short-tempered or in

retreat from society altogether.

I suggest that caregivers (or anyone) identify what stressor elimination looks and feels like for them. Some may find relief in removing themselves from a toxic work environment, getting out of a bad relationship (significant other, friend or family member) or simply setting boundaries.

Stress elimination is not easy, especially if you are used to being in a constant state of anxiety. When you start the stress-elimination quest, you’ll encounter resistance. When this happens, do whatever is necessary to stay the course of self-care. Your brain and body may even begin to rebel against you because they’re used to being under pressure; even so, keep going. Your brain and body, like people and organizations, will adapt.

Identify what relaxes you and commit to doing that thing routinely. Be selfish sometimes and go to the spa for a massage, facial, manicure or pedicure.

Sleep in and watch television. Go fishing. Go running. Sit on the beach and watch the tide roll in. Paint. Read a book or two. Go to the movie theater, or just sit on the porch and enjoy the breeze.

Take time to care for yourself. Banish the stressors, and don’t feel guilty about it. Put on your own oxygen mask first!

Dr. Tracy Daniel-Hardy is director of technology for Gulfport School District, as well as an author, caregiver, educator and educational technology leader.

Reach her at tracy@drtracydanielhardy.com.

CREATE SERENITY IN YOUR HOME

FAMILY SUCCESS FOR OVER 70 YEARS!

The place you escape to after a hectic day should exude a serene atmosphere and help you recharge. However, your home can often drain you, if it’s not thoughtfully decorated.

Try these tips to transform your home into a peaceful retreat.

VANQUISH THE CLUTTER Clutter equals chaos.

Often times creating a feeling of overall distress.

Sort it. Donate it. Trash it.

EMBRACE NATURAL TEXTURES People are naturally attracted to the charming beauty of nature. Flowers in a beautiful vase, easyto-care-for plants and pieces with natural texture lend a certain amount of tranquillity to a room.

NATURAL LIGHT Natural light increases productivity, improves mood, and creates a tranquil atmosphere.

To maximize natural light, incorporate reflective surfaces, such as strategically placed mirrors, into your design.

COLOR PALETTE Color can serve an aesthetic and a psychological purpose.

Certain shades stimulate the brain and others can deliver a calming effect and lower stress. For these effects choose natural shades like blues, greens, whites, grays and beige.

HONOR THE IMPORTANCE OF ALL ROOMS Whether it’s your bathroom or your basement, don’t just close the door and ignore what needs to be done. This will just weigh on your mind and zap your energy, like a job left undone. Make each space in your home an inspired space.

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USE THESE STRATEGIES TO BUILD

your child’s working memory FROM HUNTINGTON LEARNING CENTER

T

hroughout the course of any given day, children are asked to do many different things, from getting ready and engaging in the classroom to doing chores and completing homework. In school, your child’s job is to learn, but learning is quite complex. It requires paying attention, comprehension, active listening, reasoning, critical thinking, making comparisons and organizing thoughts — for multiple subjects.

When all these activities come easy for children, school usually comes easy, too. But if you notice that your child struggles in school and has difficulty remembering important information and focusing on homework, you might wonder what’s going on. There could be several causes, but it is possible that your child has a weak working memory.

Working memory is defined as “memory that involves storing, focusing attention on and manipulating information for a short period of time.” Years ago, researchers first defined working memory as memory used to plan and carry out behavior.

Put simply, working memory is what helps children remember homework directions long enough to complete the work. It allows them to problem solve when they encounter tricky math homework or a word they do not understand while reading. It helps children recognize when a draft of a writing assignment needs correcting. Children who lack working memory, on the other hand, likely have a range of issues in school, including: • Poor memorization skills • Difficulty paying attention in class • Difficulty staying organized • Struggles with completing math calculations in their heads • Lots of mistakes in writing (difficulty retaining and remembering grammar rules) • Difficulty working independently/easily distracted • Frequent inability to answer questions correctly or thoughtfully when called on in class • Frequent inability to follow multi-step directions Here’s the good news: You can help your child improve his or her working memory with brain-boosting exercises and other memory improvement strategies. Here are some easy ways to do so:

MAKE SURE YOUR CHILD GETS SUFFICIENT SLEEP Children might roll their eyes at the “get more sleep” suggestion, but the research doesn’t lie. Sleep accelerates the improvement in working memory performance. A good night of sleep will help your child improve his or her memory and increase focus — among many other important benefits.

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January 2022

PLAY MEMORY GAMES

Certain games help children improve their working memory because they require them to keep track of their opponents’ moves and recall information quickly. Think card games, which require players to remember their cards and keep information in their heads long enough to decide their next move, and games like Simon, which has players memorize and repeat a color pattern that gets increasingly complex.

BREAK DOWN BIGGER TASKS

Have your child break down complex, detailed assignments into smaller steps. He or she should write them down and keep that to-do list visible. To strengthen working memory, encourage your child to use tools like graphic organizers, visual maps and checklists when doing homework.

Working memory is one of the most essential functions students need, and it’s integral for the cognitive abilities that fuel school success. It is what allows children to manipulate, process and retain information.

If you suspect your child has poor working memory, have a professional evaluate him or or her and develop a targeted plan of action that focuses on memory improvement, building confidence and improving academic performance.

The Huntington Learning Center Gulfport is located at 8950 Lorraine Road, Unit E, Gulfport. Contact the center at (228) 2062353.

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Beating the winter blues Coming off the holidays, January for me feels kind of “blah.” It gets dark at 5 p.m., and it’s cold. My energy level is down, and I tend to want to sleep more than I usually would.

The “winter blues” are more common than you may think, and many people experience them. In fact, women are two to four times more likely to feel down during the winter than men. So how on earth do you get over them during these deary winter months?

GET A VITAMIN D SUPPLEMENT

We get most of our vitamin D from the sun. However, with the days being shorter, you may not have as much time to do so as you normally would. To help offset this, you should take a vitamin D supplement during the winter months. Vitamin D is linked to clearer thinking and emotional health.

Consult with your primary care doctor to determine which supplement would work best for you.

EXERCISE

Exercising can be a great mood booster.

Bundle up and take a walk. If it’s not possible to get outdoors and exercise, try a class at your local gym. Not only will the endorphins from working out make you feel better about yourself, but you also will stay fit during the winter months.

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January 2022

BY ARIEL CHAMBERLAIN

SOCIALIZE

As tempting as it may be to stay inside, you should try to get out and socialize.

Being around other people, especially positive people, can give you a mood boost.

So, grab a friend or two, and do something fun. You will find their positive attitude is contagious.

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY DIET

A healthy diet will help boost your mood and keep you from being sluggish during these cold months. It may be tempting to eat heavy comfort foods, but adding healthier options like fatty fish, dark chocolate, berries and nuts can provide a boost of energy, as well as some much-needed vitamins.

START A NEW PROJECT

Now is the perfect time to finally tackle that hall closet, reorganize the pantry or conquer another task you have been putting off. Not only will it help distract you from your winter blues, but you will feel a sense of accomplishment once its completed.

Ariel Chamberlain is mom and lifestyle blogger based on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. Connect with her via Instagram (@thelemonsoflife1, her blog (www. thelemonsoflife.com) or by email at arielc@ thelemonsoflife.com.

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Happy New Year Home. It’s not just where you hang your hat. Home is where your heart is. And the Mississippi Gulf Coast will win your heart for sure. With 26 miles of sugary sand beaches kissing the Gulf of Mexico and inland bays, bayous and rivers, the Coast is a sportsman’s dream. The year round mild climate allows for the best fishing, golf, tennis, boating and an array of festivals, culture and entertainment. Our exciting casinos offer world class gaming and talent. It’s Vegas with a beach!

Education is a top priority with our progressive community colleges, four year universities and trade schooling. Our medical services and hospitals attract some of the best practitioners from around the country. And there is a great Veterans Administration Hospital for our local heroes.

Now what about a home or a business? Whatever your preference for where you want to hang your hat or your briefcase, let me help you find your way home to the Mississippi Gulf Coast. With nearly 40 years of experience in real estate and a generational native, I know real estate and I know the Coast. You’re invited for a lifetime of sunset celebrations.

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January 2022

FLOOD

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If you are a caregiver, HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO STOP SAYING TO YOURSELF

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Many people prioritize their caregiving commitments above all other areas of their life, including themselves and other family members. No one can survive if they do not step back and take an inventory, assessing how to maintain their life for the long term. Do not feel guilty if you cannot be in the caregiving role 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Give yourself permission to take care of your needs. Do not be afraid to hire skilled caregivers to give you a muchdeserved respite and help you reconnect with your life.

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January 2022

If you are caring for a loved one, it can be easy to be hard on yourself.

Here are some negative thoughts to leave behind in the new year:

Recognize that you are doing the best you can and don’t feel guilty or like you “fell short” on a promise. You should look at the big picture and realize that you are doing a great job, but someone else may be able to make the situation even better if you allow them to help.

4. I CAN WAIT UNTIL LATER TO TAKE CARE OF MYSELF

Prioritize your own care.

You cannot be a selfless servant forever or you will get worn down and worn out and rendered unable to help anyone.

Someone said, “Some caregivers don’t just push self-care to the back burner; they take it off the stove altogether.” That is a recipe for poor health, fatigue and ultimately a disaster if the caregiver becomes more disabled than the person that she is caring for.

Be sure to take care of yourself, including caring for your health, meeting with your friends, managing stress levels and not stopping your life completely. Do not feel ashamed to get counseling, attend yoga, meet your friends/family or join a support group. Recharging yourself will be positive for your loved one and make you a more effective caregiver.

So, at a minimum, join us for the Caregiver’s Coffee Break!

We meet via Zoom on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at noon.

Kathy Brown van Zutphen of Coastwide Law LLC is an attorney licensed to practice law in Alabama and Mississippi. She focuses on the “elder law” areas of trusts, estates and conservatorships.

Additionally, she litigates lawsuits and represents small business owners as part of her legal practice. Visit https:// coastwidelaw.com/to learn more or reach her at her office: (228) 357-5227.

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success

HOW I BUILT MY BUSINESS

Flowers by Karen

I

discovered my love for flowers during my childhood. As a senior in high school, I worked at a florist after school. I earned a degree in retail florist management from Mississippi State University while working in the campus florist. After graduation I worked in Mobile, where I taught design classes. In addition to teaching in the shop, I taught adult night classes at Spring Hill College.

My business represents 34 years of training and countless days of working 24-7 to build a strong customer base.

When establishing any business, you must fully commit and adopt a hands-on approach to make the endeavor successful. I think the key to my success has been my work

ethic. I never ask an employee to do something that I would not do myself.

I have five rotating employees, and during holidays, I require 10-12.

I’ve been here so long that I know my customers by name and what they like.

Having a large floral selection allows me to focus on the distinctiveness of each order. I get flowers in every day, and I do everything possible to give the customers 100 percent satisfaction — which is our number-one concern.

We are committed to quality and service every day.

I have seen so many changes in the floral business over the 34 years I have had this business. The ability to be flexible in the changing environment has made the business more successful

each year. I have a website, www. flowersbykareninc.com, and also a Facebook page that I post on almost every day. We are open six days a week, and many Sundays find me at the shop working and getting ready for the next day. It’s because of this commitment that the shop has been flourishing for more than three decades in the Ocean Springs community.

After all this time, I still love what I do. I think this is another reason the shop has succeeded. I don’t consider it work, although there are some days that I do — especially during Valentine’s week. But even then, I still enjoy working with the flowers and the public. Each day is different and interesting.

Ocean Springs is a wonderful community; it’s just the right size.

I always have said that it’s not too big and not too small. I believe every business needs to give back, and I support many organizations, nursing homes and nonprofits.

With the community’s support, I look forward to continuing for many years to come.

Karen Coleman is owner of Flowers by Karen, located on Government Street in Ocean Springs.

Reach her at flowersbykaren@ cableone.net.

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January 2022

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Make content marketing a priority

BY LASHAUNDRA MCCARTY

I

t is now January, which is the time when most of us think about starting anew. Many people will set goals to get in shape, lead more balanced lives, dedicate time to self-care, grow their business and a myriad of other aims to improve their quality of life. In that list of worthy goals, I hope that you include a content marketing plan.

Content marketing is the creation and sharing of online material (such as videos, blogs, infographics and social media posts) with the intention of stimulating interest in a brand’s products or services.

Whether you are an entrepreneur or not, content marketing is vital for the creation of your personal brand. It gives you the opportunity to position yourself as a thought leader in your industry. It also allows you access to content that is more

compelling than, “Come buy this!”

Through content marketing, companies and personal brands can share their stories, impact and relevance with their online audience. As opposed to hard selling tactics that center their messaging on selling a product, the strategies of content marketing allow a potential customer to discover the value and expertise before you ever make an offer.

One thing I often hear when doing branding and social media workshops is, “What do we post?” Content is all around you. The key is choosing the right content.

The right content would support the goals.

For example, if you want to show that your company is efficient, you could share a testimonial from a happy customer bragging about their service being completed ahead of schedule.

Your content could be a “behind the scenes'' tour, a how-to-guide or tip sheet.

That is all content. Those are just a few ideas. Here are a few things to keep in mind when creating content: 1. Does the content support your goal?

2. Is it valuable to my audience?

3. Is it share-worthy?

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Digital platforms track engagement, from website page visits to comments on a YouTube video and likes on a post.

A person’s engagement on the content that you share increases your audience reach. The increase in audience reach means more people will see the content you share, and that audience translates into possible customers. With that in mind, share content that is worth engaging.

Your content should be easily digestible, valuable, share-worthy and appropriate for the platform. As you are developing your strategies for how you will rule the year, include content marketing as a part of your plan. Develop a calendar for your content (videos, blogs, podcasts and posts). Planning content marketing at the beginning of the year will keep it from being haphazard, stressful or forgotten.

LaShaundra McCarty is chief communication officer, LMc Communications.

Learn more and connect with her via www.lashaundramccarty.com or https://linktr.ee/lashaundra.

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ELEVATIONS

NEW CLINIC OPENS IN PASS CHRISTIAN

A new medical clinic is now available to patients in Pass Christian.

Memorial recently opened of the new Memorial Physician Clinics Pass Christian Family Medicine, located at 116 Menge Ave., Suite B, in Pass Christian. Dr. Lainie Jorns is accepting new patients.

Clinic hours are 8 a.m. - 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 8 a.m. – noon on Friday.

Call (228) 822-6224 or visit wearememorial.com to learn more.

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January 2022

GULFPORT GIRL CROWNED 2022 JUNIOR MISS MAGNOLIA STATE

Congratulations to Kai Davis of Gulfport, who a panel of judges recently named the 2022 Junior Miss Magnolia State.

According to her pageant profile, Davis is 12 years old and enjoys dancing, singing, acting and pageants. She’s on a competition dance and theater teams and is a member of the National Junior Honor Society and student council. Davis also has her own nonprofit: Big Hearts, Little Hands.

The November Miss Magnolia State pageant, which has been in existence for over two decades, hosted a reported 154 contestants from across the state of Mississippi.

MEMORIAL PHYSICIAN CLINICS WELCOMES DR. T. BENJAMIN SKELTON Memorial Physician Clinics welcomes Dr. T. Benjamin Skelton in the practice of internal medicine at Memorial Internal Medicine - Acadian Plaza, 12261 Highway 49 North, Suite 9, Gulfport.

Dr. Skelton received his medical degree from East Tennessee State University, James H. Quillen College of Medicine, in Johnson City, Tennessee. He completed his internal medicine internship and residency at Keesler Medical Center, Keesler Air Force Base, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Washington, D.C. Dr. Skelton is board certified in internal medicine. To schedule an appointment, call (228) 822-6340.

We tend to draw a FUN crowd!

Upcoming Events - More to come...follow Upcoming Events More us usus Upcoming Events - -More to come...follow come...follow Upcoming Events - More to come...follow us

Upcoming Events - More to come...follow us January January January 5 55 Gulf Legislative Reception GulfCoast Coast Legislative Reception January 5Coast Gulf January 5 Legislative Reception Gulf Coast Legislative Reception January 13 Gulf Coast Legislative Reception January 13 JOIN January 13 t Ribbon Cutting @@ Makin’ Groceries FUN c he Ribbon Cutting Makin’ Groceries January 13 rowd!

January 13 Ribbon Cutting @ Makin’ Groceries Ribbon @ Makin’ Groceries January 18Cutting Ribbon @ Makin’ Groceries January 18 Cutting State of the City Luncheon January 18 State of the City Luncheon January 18 January State of 18 the City Luncheon January 25the StateState of CityCity Luncheon Luncheon January 25of the Ribbon Cutting @ GC Sharks Youth Football January 25Ribbon Cutting @ GC Sharks Youth Football January 25 January 25 Cutting Come by and see us!

Ribbon @ GC Sharks Youth Football January 27 BY AND SEE Biloxi Visitors Center Come by and seeUS! us!

Ribbon @ GC Sharks Youth COME Football Ribbon Cutting @ GC Sharks January 27 Cutting BILOXI VISITORS CENTER Bay Connects @ Hyatt Place Youth Football 2 Floor/East Hall Biloxi Visitors Center Come byFloor/East and see Hall us!

2nd Floor/East | (228) 435-6149 (228)Hall 435-6149 Bay Connects @ Hyatt Place January 27 2 Come by and see us!

January 27 Biloxi Visitors Center Come by and see us! info@biloxibayareachamber.org (228) 435-6149 January 27 Albert info@biloxibayareachamber.org Biloxi Visitors Center Photo J. Henrion, Jr. - AJH Photography Baycredit: Connects @ Hyatt Place www.biloxibayareachamber.org 2nd Floor/East Hall Biloxi Visitors Center info@biloxibayareachamber.org Bay Connects @ Hyatt Place 2 Floor/East Hall www.biloxibayareachamber.org facebook.com/biloxibayareachamber Baycredit: Connects @ Hyatt Place 435-6149 2(228) Floor/East Hall Photo Albert J. Henrion, Jr. - AJH Photography www.biloxibayareachamber.org (228) 435-6149 nd

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Photo credit: Albert J. Henrion, Jr. - AJH Photography

Photo credit: Henrion, Jr. - AJH Photo Albert credit: J.Albert J. Henrion, Jr. Photography - AJH Photography Photo credit: Albert J. Henrion, Jr. - AJH Photography

facebook.com/biloxibayareachamber info@biloxibayareachamber.org (228) 435-6149 facebook.com/biloxibayareachamber info@biloxibayareachamber.org www.biloxibayareachamber.org info@biloxibayareachamber.org www.biloxibayareachamber.org facebook.com/biloxibayareachamber www.biloxibayareachamber.org facebook.com/biloxibayareachamber facebook.com/biloxibayareachamber

YOUR BUSINESS JUST GOT BETTER

HANCOCK CHAMBER

Congratulations

Jennifer Noble

Owner / Lead Cake Artist ICES Vice President

Cake Expo 2020-2022 Coordinator

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food & fun

Comfort food,

made with love L

Doe’s Eat Place serves extra helpings of Southern hospitality

BY CHRIS DEARMAN

ooking to eat at an awardwinning Southern-style steakhouse that quite possibly will serve one of the best steaks you’ve ever tasted? Look no further than Doe’s Eat Place. Located on the fifth floor of the Margaritaville Resort in Biloxi, you will find a fantastic Gulf Coast restaurant that provides the true taste of the Mississippi Delta.

Dominick "Big Doe" Signa and his wife, Mamie, opened the original Doe’s Eat Place in 1941 in Greenville, Mississippi. It was in the back of an old grocery store turned honky-tonk with a rather colorful history. Still operating 80 years later, the James Beard Awardwining restaurant is now listed on the National Register of Historic Places and has spawned numerous locations throughout the South.

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January 2022

While the original Doe’s is famous for its rustic, dive-like appearance, the Biloxi location is anything but. The restaurant is much more modern while honoring the tradition of the original’s famous steaks, tamales and desserts.

“We believe there is a lot of history that ties Doe’s to Mississippi,” says Food & Beverage Director Alex Saybe.

“There is nothing over the top about the original location, just good people putting out good food. That’s what we want. Doe’s isn’t meant to be a highend fine dining experience. It’s meant for you to get a great steak, feel at home and experience the ‘Southern hospitality’ that we are known for here on the Coast.”

You will find many Southern staples and coastal favorites on the menu, along with some of the dishes that made

Doe’s famous, such as loaded tamales.

Made from Doe’s original recipe since 1941, they are served with chili and cheese and so popular they inspired an entire tamale festival in Greenville.

It wouldn’t be a trip to Doe’s without getting some for the table.

“While we follow most of what the original Doe’s Eat Place has to offer, we do have some coastal influences with our seafood offerings,” Saybe says. “The main concept of the original and our location is comfort food — the comfort in a great steak that has been cared for and hand-cut (and) in our hand-cut fries. (Doe’s offers) a consistently great meal that you and your family can enjoy like you were at home, just without the prep and cleanup.”

Saying we had a great meal during

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our visit was an understatement. After being warmly greeted by our waitress, Tamara McNeil, who has worked at Doe’s since day one, my girlfriend, Lauryn, and I dug into the tamales then refreshed our palates with a Doe’s original signature salad. A simple tossed salad of lettuce, tomato, purple onion, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, olive oil and minced garlic, it was the perfect dish before the main course: a signature porterhouse T-bone that we split.

Having visited the original Doe’s last year, I was curious to see how this steak would compare. The melt-inyour-mouth first bite made it evident that the same skillful steak preparation had come to the Coast. Seasoned to perfection and cooked in a 1,900-degree grill that ensures a seared outside and perfectly cooked inside, the steak was ample enough for both of us to enjoy with plenty left to take home.

While we both were thoroughly stuffed, we ended our evening with a delicious homemade lemon icebox pie and pecan bread pudding — the perfect ending to a fabulous meal.

“The reason why I love this place so much, is that everything is made with such care and love,” says Front-of-House Supervisor Michael Liles. “Everything is hand-crafted. All the meat goes from butcher block to table. The desserts

are freshly made by one of the owner’s mothers. There is just so much love in everything that is cooked here, and that is important to me as someone that has been in the restaurant business for 12 years.”

Doe’s Eat Place is open Wednesday through Sunday for dinner, and happy hour is Sunday through Thursday from 5-7 p.m. During your visit, be sure to try a specialty cocktail or two. The top-shelf margarita was one of the best I’ve had.

WANT TO GO? Doe’s Eat Place 195 Beach Blvd., Biloxi (228) 271-6330 www.facebook.com/ DoesEatPlaceBiloxi www.margaritavilleresortbiloxi. com/steakhouse

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January 2022

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5 QUESTIONS WITH CASA OF HANCOCK COUNTY Cynthia Chauvin, executive director of Casa of Hancock County, shares how her organization advocates for children in the court system — supporting them, acting in their best interest and ensuring their wellbeing.

WHAT DOES CASA DO?

CASA of Hancock County is a nonprofit that recruits, trains and supports a diverse network of court-appointed special advocate volunteers to provide quality advocacy in the Hancock County court system to abused and neglected children and to secure them a safe, CASA staff (left to right) Courthouse facility dog Remi, Victim Services Coordipermanent, and nurturing home. Children nator and Remi’s handler Naomi Strawhorn, Lead Advocate Supervisor Lauren living in Hancock County who are abuse and Saucier, Executive Director Cynthia Chauvin, Advocate Supervisor Tanisha neglect victims and have involvement with Lamb and Fiscal/Program Manager Anne McCauley Youth Court and the Department of Human Services are eligible for CASA advocacy.

WHAT HAS BEEN THE GREATEST THING CASA volunteers investigate cases, evaluate information and submit reports to the court with recommendations in YOU HAVE LEARNED OR GAINED BY BEING the child’s best interest. The volunteer monitors the case until INVOLVED IN CASA? the court approves a permanent plan or the child exits the foster As the leader of this organization, I continue to be humbled by care and court systems. The result is that children with CASA our volunteers’ dedication to their children. They stand in the advocates have fewer foster care placements and achieve a gap when these kids need a caring adult more than ever. I have permanent plan in less time. been able to work for CASA for 20 years, despite countless cases of abuse and neglect, because I see firsthand how the volunteers ensure that these children are better off. Being a part of CASA WHEN AND WHY WAS CASA FOUNDED? has made me a better family member, friend and community Judge David Soukup founded CASA in King County, member.

Washington, in 1976. He felt an independent party would be beneficial to the court process. With most volunteers serving one child or family, they can provide the court with in-depth WHAT’S NEW WITH CASA? knowledge of the child’s case, which aids in decision making on In August of 2020, CASA of Hancock County welcomed its these complicated cases. newest staff member, Canine Companions for Independence In the first quarter of 2021, 94 percent of the facility dog Remi, who provides a calming presence and an recommendations offered by CASA volunteers in Hancock extra layer of support to child victims who find themselves County were ordered by Youth Court Judge S. Trent Favre. involved in Hancock County’s child welfare system. Remi will assist handler Naomi Strawhorn during her work as the victim services coordinator by accompanying children to court to help WHAT IMPACT HAS CASA MADE ON THE lessen their stress.

COMMUNITY? Recent and upcoming events for us include our volunteer CASA volunteers form lasting relationships with the training session in mid-August. On Oct. 16, CASA will hold its children they serve, for whom instability and uncertainty are community give-back event, Touch a Truck, on the grounds of commonplace. The volunteers are stable and positive influences the Hancock County Government Annex on Highway 90. This and advocate for the children’s best interests. free event attracts over 750 children each year to explore and CASA believes in restoring families and works closely with learn about vocations within our community. the biological parents and Child Protective Services to support Plans also are also under way for our largest fundraiser of that process. However, at times, children can’t be returned the year, the Krewe of CASA Mardi Gras Gala, set for Jan. 22. home, and the volunteer remains focused on the child’s safety This event could not occur this year due to COVID, so the 2022 and need for permanency, keeping in mind that foster care event will be our biggest yet. should be temporary and that all children need families. CASA volunteers help to break the cycle of generational child abuse.

www.gcwmultimedia.com

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I WON'T BACK DOWN

BY ROBIN KILLEEN

A

s I was praying about the state of our world and all the chaos that’s going on, the song “I Won’t Back Down” by Tom Petty immediately came to mind. The lyrics include the powerful statement, “I got just one life; in a world that keeps on pushing me around; but I’ll stand my ground, and I won’t back down.” The song reaches a crescendo as Petty sings, “Hey, baby, there ain’t no easy way out. Hey, I will stand my ground, and I won’t back down.” This seems like such a fitting chorus for us to consider today.

2 Corinthians 4:7-9 says, “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God, and not from us. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

So, I won’t back down. I will stand my ground!

2 Corinthians 4:16-18 tells us not to lose heart. How could we? Although on the outside it often looks like things

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are falling apart, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace.

These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration he is preparing for us. There’s far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow — but the things we cannot see now will last forever.

I believe we were chosen for such a time as this — to live in these dark and chaotic times with a mission to leave a permanent mark of love and point others to Jesus. We should always be mindful and confident that in our weakness, he is strong. 2 Corinthians 12:9 says, “But he said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’” Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses so that Christ’s power may rest on me.”

I know that things are turbulent right now, but we will get through this by standing our ground and not backing down. Ephesians 6:11 says: “Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand firm against the strategies of the devil.”

“I got just one life; in a world that keeps on pushing me around; but I’ll stand my ground, and I won’t back down.”

One of my favorite scriptures is Isaiah 40:31: “But those who trust in the lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”

Declare this with me: My strength is being renewed! I will stand my ground, and I won’t back down!

Robin Killeen is founder of W.O.W. (Women of Wisdom). W.O.W. meets every second Wednesday of the month at noon at the Knight Nonprofit Center in Gulfport.

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email: SmileTeam@SmileGulfCoast.com January 2022 www.SmileGulfCoast.com